SOUTH BURLINGTON — Sadie Stetson led four players in double figures and the St. Johnsbury Academy Hilltoppers prepped for Saturday’s Division One showdown with CVU, topping the Rice Green Knights 66-39 on Thursday night on Bernie Cieplicki Court.

The Academy raced out to an 18-9 lead after a quarter, stretched the margin to 12 at 31-19 by halftime, and then outscored the Knights 22-9 in the third quarter to blow the game wide open.

Stetson led all scorers with 24 points, Lara Rohkohl added 14, Josie Choiniere chipped in 12 and Salena Porter contributed 10 for the winners. Kristen Varin led Rice with 12 points and Petra Langan added 10.

With the win the Hilltoppers improve to 16-1 heading into Saturday’s rematch with undefeaated CVU . The loss, Rice’s third straight, drops them to 11-7.