LocalSportsJournal.com

PENTWATER — Without a full roster again because of illness, injury and family vacations the Pentwater girls basketball team struggled on both ends of the floor in its Western Michigan D League home game with Marion on Thursday night.

Although the Falcons hung with the Eagles through three quarters, they just ran out of gas in the fourth period and lost, 43-25.

“The girls played hard,” Pentwater coach Joe Gorton said. “I was happy with their effort. We definitely have steps to take with that group.

“Being so shorthanded definitely forced them into situations that weren’t necessarily in their comfort zones, which is good for them. That’s how they’re going to grow, and how they’re going to get better.”

Marion, which is still in the hunt for the WMD title, scrapped out a 10-6 lead in the first quarter over the Falcons. Pentwater scored only one point in the second period, but was only outscored by eight, 9-1 and trailed by 10 points, 19-9 at the half.

Pentwater stayed close to the Eagles in the third quarter, outscoring them by a 7-6 margin to make it a 25-16 game entering the fourth quarter.

The Eagles pulled away from the Falcons with an 18-11 scoring advantage in the final eight minutes.

Jocelyn Richison and Haidyn Adams scored seven points apiece to lead the Falcons. Audrey Kieda contributed four points.

Sam Schaefer led the Falcons with six rebounds and Mackenna Hasil grabbed four. Richison picked off five steals. The Falcons had 18 turnovers.

Pentwater fell to a 1-10 record overall and 1-8 in the league. The Falcons are next scheduled to hit the floor Tuesday, Feb. 8 when they host Bear Lake in another league game.