LocalSportsJournal.com
MONTAGUE – Manistee made the defensive plays at the end of the game to turn back Montague, 44-43 Wednesday night in the West Michigan Conference Lakes Division girls basketball game.
The game was played at Montague.
Libby McCarthy knocked down the decisive free throws for the Mariners, who were coming off a flat performance in a 54-20 loss to Ludington.
After the Wildcats fashioned a 12-9 advantage in the first quarter, Manistee came back for a 12-10 edge in the second and led 22-21 at the half.
But the Wildcats came out of the break and outscored the Mariners, 10-9, in the third period for a 32-30 lead. Manistee rallied for a 14-11 fourth period.
“I am very pleased with how we played tonight,” said Montague coach Jess DeBruin. “The effort was there, we just made little mistakes down the stretch that we will use to get better.”
Jayna Edmondson and Ava Mae Fett led the Mariners with 13 points apiece. Reese Shively added seven.
Addison Pranger paced the Wildcats with 19 points, Braylyn Bultema and Maizie Collins added six each and Avah Vandermeulen contributed another five.
Manistee improved its season record to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the conference. The Mariners host Fremont in another conference game Friday.
The Wildcats dropped to 1-7 overall and 1-3 in the conference. Friday night Montague travels to Oakridge in the conference.
