Waterford — New London's coach, Holly Misto, first started yelling for the Whalers to get their hands up on defense during the junior varsity game prior to Thursday night's varsity girls' basketball matchup.

That pretty much sums up Misto's approach to this season, in which the third-ranked Whalers are 18-0 overall and clinched their third straight Eastern Connecticut Conference Medium Division title Thursday with a 44-23 victory at Waterford.

New London is 9-0 in the division.

"It's just coach," said New London junior center India Pagan of the emphasis on defense. "She tells us, 'We need to be a defensive team. We're going to be the best defensive team in the league.' She wants us to do better."

"I love the defense," Misto said. "The kids know what I preach. I really believe our offense comes from our defense."

Led by the 6-foot-2 Pagan, who presented an intimidating last line of defense for the Whalers, blocking a series of shots, New London held Waterford scoreless for a 9-minute, 53-second span during the second and third quarters, during which New London's lead ballooned from three to 19.

Waterford did not score in the third quarter until a layup by Vanessa Kobyluck beat the buzzer, with the Lancers (14-4, 7-2), trying somehow to forge a tie at the top of the Medium Division standings, shooting 1-for-15.

Waterford began the game deliberately on offense, trying to spread the floor and use the clock, but couldn't convert its shots. New London, meanwhile, most times limited the Lancers to one shot before securing the rebound.

"We wanted to take good care of the ball, take good shots. What we're going to have to do is be patient and shoot well," Waterford coach Mark Capasso said. "You think if you could hold them to the 40s, you have a shot. We were taking ill-advised shots ... those are like turnovers to me."

Jada Lucas had 11 points, Pagan 10 and Charee Osborne nine for New London, which led just 7-5 after Kobyluck saved a ball from going out of bounds to teammate Shea Spellman for a layup. Lucas, however, got the last shot of the quarter with 5.0 seconds remaining and buried a 3-point field goal from well behind the line to make it 10-5.

Waterford scored six straight points in the second quarter, a jump shot by Spellman, a converted offensive rebound by Kayla Jean-Pierre and a floater by Mia Brennan, to pull within 18-15 with 1:53 to go in the half.

Pagan answered with a three-point play and the front end of a one-and-one, howevere, followed by a basket from Kenya Capers, in the game in place of Osborne, who had two fouls. The Whalers led 24-15 at halftime.

"She told us just keep playing our game, New London ball," Pagan said of any directives Misto may have made at halftime.

And of her shot-blocking proficiency?

"It's part of the game," Pagan said. "You're going to get fouls. That's part of the game. But you learn from them."

Lucas started the second half by getting out on a fast break for a layup and she scored again on an effortless, one-handed scoop shot to make it 28-15 and prompt a Waterford timeout. New London led 34-17 after three quarters.

Misto said that at times the Whalers' score differential makes it looks like they're winning games easily.

"It wasn't an easy win (against Waterford)," Misto said. "Our kids are working their tails off on defense, but sometimes it looks easy. (Scoring) helps; don't get me wrong. But if you're working on your defense, you're going to be successful. I get upset when anybody scores.

"We played great team defense tonight."

Kobyluck had 10 points for Waterford.

v.fulkerson@theday.com

Twitter: @vickieattheday