CUBA CITY — After losing three seniors from last year's regional championship team, the Cuba City girls basketball team knew defense would be the key factor in carrying forward this season.

On Thursday night, the Cubans — winners of the past five SWAL Conference titles — also showed they aren't ready to give up their crown.

With conference favorite Mineral Point looking for its first win over its rivals since January 2004, the Cubans' ball pressure helped force 17 turnovers, the pivotal factor in Cuba City's 55-38 victory.

The win was the 56th consecutive in conference play for the Cubans (4-0, 2-0 in the SWAL), a streak that dates to February 2004.

"We're going to fight to the end," said Cuban junior Katie Langmeier, who led all scorers with 14 points. "We're going to go out every game and play our hardest to make sure that title stays here."

The one-sided affair was unexpected since the Pointers (3-2) returned three starters and a stingy pressure defense.

But it was Cuba City coach Jeff Pustina's defense that stepped up Thursday night.

The Cubans held Mineral Point (3-2) to single-digit scoring in the first three quarters and shut down first-team all-conference guard Claire Poad (14.3 points per game), limiting her to four points.

"We knew what we had to do against (Poad) and that defense is going to win us games and make us competitive," Langmeier said.

Cuba City used quick ball movement to break the Mineral Point press, resulting in uncontested layups on the other end, and utilized its height advantage to get to the free throw line. The Cubans made 16 free throws; the Pointers were 3-of-5.

"Mineral Point came out ready to play and hit us in the mouth early with the press. But we got up off the deck and got the ball to where we wanted it," said Pustina, whose team went on a 23-12 run to end the first half. "That was a pretty nice win and a good building block."