Despite three Warriors fouling out and a late-game surge from Hesston, the Marion girls’ basketball team defeated the Swathers 57-51 Friday night in Hesston.
Outscored 15-11 in the first quarter, Marion turned the second quarter into a 23-5 run to go into halftime with a 34-20 ;ead. The second stanza was the only period in which Marion outscored Hesston.
The third quarter started with a 4-0 Marion run. The run did not last long as Julia Zeiner was whistled for her third foul of the game, earning her a seat on the bench with 5:15 left in the period.
In Zeiner?s absence, Hesston rattled of a 15-4 run to end the third quarter with a 42-35 deficit.
Marion extended its lead to 47-37 with 5:45 remaining courtesy of a Lindsay Hett three, followed by a Hett steal that was passed up the floor to Zeiner who dished the ball off to Whitney Gordon for a jump shot.
Almost half a minute later, Zeiner?s night ended when she was whistled for a fifth foul, trying to defend a Hesston player near half court. Another minute passed before Kristen Steinborn also took a seat on the bench, picking up her fifth foul with 4:02 left to play.
Seconds later, Gordon opened the Marion lead back to nine with a 15-foot jumpert that tickled the nylon and gave the Warriors a 51-42 advantage with 3:57 remaining.
After Hett and Chassidy Carlson blocked Swather shots to preserve and eight-point lead, Bridget Lundy fouled out and Hett checked out of the game because of an injury with 1:30 left. Hett went to the ground untouched, grasping her lower leg as the ball popped loose. She managed to get back to her feet to arrempt a defensive play but came up limping. Hesston did not score on the turnover, but Hett went to bench to get evaluated.
In the absence of Marion?s two leading scorers and ball handlers, Hesston moved to within four points at 55-51 with 34.9 seconds left following a Sam Short layup. Hesston had the opportunity to cut the Marion lead to one basket, but the Swathers missed a layup.
After the missed shot a battle for the rebound forced a jump ball that was originally given to Marion, but was changed by the scorer?s table. The possession arrow operator had forgotten to change the [pssession arrow after the previous tie-up.
Marion stole the ball on the Hesston inbounds play and Hett, who had returned to the game moments before, was fouled on the transition layup attempt. She knocked down one of the two attempts giving Marion a 56-51 lead.
Scoring ended with a free throw by Gordon with three seconds to play.
Gordon led the Warriors with 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots. Zeiner finished with 13 points five rebounds. Hett filled up the stat sheet, scoring nine points, grabbing 11 rebounds, blocking five shots, picking Swather?s pocket four times and dishing out four assists.
Hesston was led by Sam Short with 16 and Mallory Schroeder with 11.
Marion improves to 7-1 in MCAA play and is 13-3 overall.
BOYS
The Marion boys’ losing streak grew to five games with a 54-37 loss Friday night at Hesston .
Hesston started the game 5-0 before Marion surged to make the score 7-5. Hesston pulled away, leading 14-7 with 2:08 in the first which ended 16-9 Swathers.
Hesston outscored Marion 14-7 in the second quarter to go into the locker room at halftime with a 30-16 lead.
Marion improved in the second half, only being outscored by Hesston 24-21.
Hesston’s Logan Schrag led all scorers with 15 points. Jessie Voth-Gaeddert contributed 10 points for the Swathers.
Wil Case was the only Warrior in double-figure scoring with 13.
Marion falls to 2-6 in MCAA play and 5-11 overall. Marion will host Nickerson on Tuesday and Hillsboro on Thursday.
