By Greg Gielczyk
LocalSportsJournal.com

SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central took advantage of Shelby’s struggles on the offensive end on Tuesday and defeated the Tigers, 60-44.

The game was played in the West Michigan Conference Rivers Division.

It was the supposedly “easy” baskets that the Tigers missed that dealt them a big blow against a Spartans team that is off to a hot start.

“They’re (Shelby) fundamentally sound, and well-coached,” said Spartans coach Brian Beebe. “Their posts are undersized, but they are super active. They did a good job attacking the glass and taking advantage of our mistakes defensively.

“Shelby came in and battled tonight. They outrebounded us and did a good job running their stuff. (Molli) Schultz is a veteran guard who can make shots, and she did that tonight.”

But, after a quick early burst, the Tigers struggled offensively in the first half and the Spartans led by as much as 11 in the first quarter before settling in to a 19-10 lead at the buzzer.

Limiting the Tigers to eight points in the second period, the Spartans bounded into the half with a 31-18 cushion.

The Tigers regrouped during the half and enjoyed better success in the second, finishing the third period with a 15-15 tie which left the Spartans up, 46-33 and they closed the game out with a 14-11 fourth period.

“We decided to play a zone defense, and that slowed us down a little bit,” Shelby coach Sarah Wolting said. “There just wasn’t a lot of energy in the gym.

“It’s good to get this one under our belt, and just get a feel for some of the higher-end teams in our conference. I think it’ll be a rundown again the next time. It was pretty back-and-forth in the second half.”

Mallory Miller and Wren Nelson were thorns in the Tigers’ sides all night, with Miller finishing the game with a career high 29 points.

She was especially effective from outside, knocking down five shots from beyond the 3-point arc for the second time this season. Nelson made some great catches and was tough around the rim, converting on some contested finishes and finished with 17.

“That inside-out combination was really important for our team to get it done tonight,” said Beebe.

It was Miller and Nelson who helped the Spartans maintain their double figure lead despite the Tigers second half surge. Miller scored nine points and Nelson six in the third quarter.

Nelson also pulled down a game-high nine rebounds.

Schultz was the Tigers’ leading scorer with 18 points and was the only Shelby player in double figures. Biloxi Lee had the next highest total with seven, and Lydia Soelberg added six. Brylee Friedman was the leading rebounder with seven boards for the Tigers, while Kylie Brown gathered in six and Schultz came down with five.

The Spartans improved to 6-1 on the season, 3-1 in the conference and travel to Hesperia on Friday for another Rivers Division contest.

Shelby slipped to 4-4 overall, 2-3 in the conference with a non-conference game scheduled for Thursday at Wyoming Potter’s House.