It’s tough to win when your top-scoring threat is sitting on the bench.

Last Friday was such the case for the girls’ basketball team at Oakville Senior High as senior guard Sarah Bartholic sat out most of the game because of foul trouble in the Tigers’ 71-51 loss to Webster Groves.

Bartholic has been averaging nearly nine points a game this season and with her not being a factor against the Statesmen, it extended Oakville’s losing streak to six games.

“We had a good start and the kids played with some intensity,” Tigers head coach Paul Harrington told the Call.

“But Bartholic got into foul trouble and basically sat out most of the game. Webster had a really awesome shooting night. They were really hot,” he added.

With Bartholic out most of the game and scoring just two points, the Tigers (6-8, 1-3 Suburban South Conference) were led by sophomore center Faith Zabek’s 11 points and one rebound effort in the loss to Webster Groves.

“Her (Zabek) scoring dropped off a couple of games ago and she really picked it up against Webster,” Harrington said. “Right now we’re thrilled with her progress.”

Also having a solid night for the Tigers was junior forward Kristin Klump and sophomore center Sherry Zehner.

Klump amassed nine points, one rebound and one blocked shot in the loss. Zehner also scored 9 points, while yanking down two rebounds and one blocked shot.

The Webster game was Zehner’s first after suffering an ankle injury on the Friday after Christmas.

“With Sherry going down with her injury, it was so important for Kristin to step things up,” Harrington said. “We’re hoping that with the playing time that she got with Sherry being out, it will help us all down the road.”

Harrington also was delighted in Zehner’s play in her first game back since the ankle injury.

“Having Sherry back was a big plus for us,” Harrington said. “Her ankle is still a bit sore, but it’s great to have her back.”

Oakville competes in the Parkway North Tournament this week and will take on Hazelwood East this Friday. The game will be an opportunity for the Flyers to see a team that they normally wouldn’t see throughout the season.

“That’s what we like about the tournament,” Harrington said. “We’re looking forward to playing teams that we normally don’t see. I feel like we have a good chance at success in this tournament.”

Lindbergh’s round-robin game against Hazelwood East is slated for a 5:30 p.m. start.