Sparked by turnovers off its full court press, the Marion girls basketball team started the second half on a 16-4 run?to take a 35-32 lead on a Lindsay Hett three pointer with under a minute remaining in the third quarter. After that point, the Warriors didn?t trail again?and came away with a 57-47 victory at Haven on Tuesday night.
Haven pulled to within 41-38 with 4:50 left in the fourth quarter on a traditional three point play by Noell Nordstedt. Marion responded?quickly, extending?its lead to seven with two consecutive baskets, a jumper by Hett and lay up by Julia Zeiner.
The Wildcats tried fouling to get back into the contest but Marion sank 11 of 15 free throws down the stretch to stifle any chances of?a Haven comeback. Hett was 8-for-9 from the charity stripe for the game, shooting all but two attempts in the last three minutes of the game.
Two defensive plays by Whitney Gordon on consecutive Wildcat possessions late in the game, helped preserve the lead for the Warriors. On the first possession, Gordon came away with a rebound in traffic off a missed Haven lay up, one of her game high nine boards.
The next trip down the floor for the Wildcats, Gordon blocked a driving Haven player?s shot, which ignited a fast break?that resulted in a Zeiner breakaway lay up. The lay up gave the Warriors a 51-43 lead with 1:12 left to play.
Hett and Zeiner combined for 45 of the Warriors 57 points. Hett led all scorers with 26 and grabbed eight rebounds. Zeiner finished with 19 points, six boards and five assists. Other scorers for Marion were Gordon (7), Kayley Heerey (4), and Kristen Steinborn (1).
Sage Ezell and Ashley Rogers finished with seven points and 10 rebounds a piece for Haven. Tessa Reynolds led the Wildcats in scoring with nine points.
The Warriors improve to 6-1 overall and 2-0 in MCAA league play. Marion hosts Hoisington on Friday.
