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PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL: Worthington outlasts Marshall, 39-35

Photo by Sam Thiel Marshall’s Whitney Schwartz shoots over a Worthington defender during the Tigers’ game against the Worthington Trojans on Thursday night.

MARSHALL – The Marshall girls basketball team kept up with the Worthington Trojans for the majority of the game, but couldn’t capitalize on opportunities down the stretch as the Tigers fell 39-35 Thursday night.

The first half was tight to start, as Marshall held a 6-5 lead. Both teams then traded points the next few possessions until Worthington took a 14-13 advantage.

The Trojans later extended that lead to 19-13 with five minutes left, but a 7-2 run by the Tigers made it 21-20 at halftime in favor of the away team.

Marshall coach Dan Westby felt his team had trouble controlling the glass in the first half, as the Trojans rose for nine offensive rebounds in the opening 18 minutes.

“That was certainly a point of concern going into the game. We talked about not giving up shots and five minutes into the game we gave up a lot,” said Westby. “We work on it every day, but we certainly need to get better at it. Tonight was an opportunity to get a win and we just didn’t get it done, which was the disappointing part, especially at home.”

The second half saw the Trojans maintain their one-point lead until Natalie Petrich got a layup to go with 13 minutes remaining to put the Tigers up 23-22.

Worthington responded with a run of its own, however, going up 29-24 with nine minutes left. Each team then traded 3-pointers on their next possession, as Marshall pulled to within five at 34-29 with three minutes left.

The Tigers cut it to four late, but couldn’t bring the deficit any closer.

Westby said his team had chances throughout the game, but felt they couldn’t get a basket when they needed it.

“That was a part we struggled with. We got some good looks and we didn’t knock shots down,” said Westby. “We had some opportunities inside that we couldn’t convert and then down the stretch when the score was tied, we lost track of shooters. That’s the disappointing part; we’ve got to know that stuff and to not execute in the end like that.”

Maddie Marks and Petrich each led the way with 12 points while Whitney Schwartz collected five rebounds.

Marks said she was pleased with their defensive effort throughout the game.

“I think we were all just connecting as a team really well,” said Marks. “Different things were working at different times on the inside and outside, it just depended on the play.”

Westby said their biggest takeaway is playing smarter while maintaining a high level of intensity.

“I think we’re working hard and our heart’s in the right place, but we need to execute and play a whole lot smarter,” said Westby.

Marshall (1-2) will face Sioux Falls Lincoln on Saturday.

Worthington 39, Marshall 35

Worthington    21 18 – 39

Marshall    20 15 – 35

SCORING: Marshall 35 (Marks, Petrich 12; Meier, Estrada 3; Schwartz, Jones, 2; Sanow 1).

REBOUNDS: Marshall 26 (Petrich 6; Schwartz 5; Meier, Sanow 4; Estrada 3 Marks 2; Sueker, Andries 1).

ASSISTS: Marshall 3 (3 with 1).

STEALS: Marshall 9 (Marks 4; Sanow 3; Sueker, Petrich 1).

BLOCKS: None.

FOULS: Marshall 16.

TURNOVERS: Marshall 13.

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