LocalSportsJournal.com
PENTWATER — Pentwater senior Jocelyn Richison and eighth grader Ava Johnson combined for three 3-pointers in the pivotal fourth quarter as the Falcons exacted a bit of revenge on Mason County Eastern.
That combination sparked the Falcons to a 39-38 victory on Tuesday night against the visiting Cardinals.
In the first meeting between the teams, the Cardinals won handily, 35-20, at home.
On Tuesday, the Falcons were looking to return the favor.
“My posts played really well against a quality big in Janessa Alvesteffer,” Pentwater coach Joe Gorton said. “Holding her to 14 points was key to our success tonight. Mandi Sayles, Mackenna Hasil, Marissa Sayles and Audrey Kidea shared the honors of slowing her down, and they played tremendously hard for us.
“Marissa, in particular, was a spark in the second quarter,” Gorton said. “We weren’t boxing out and she came in and really established position inside and kind of led the way in securing the ball after missed shots.”
Pentwater had a solid first quarter and outscored the Cardinals, 12-8. But the Cardinals bounced back to take a 9-7 edge in the second for a 19-15 score at the half.
Eastern then outscored the Falcons, 13-7, in the third period and the game was tied at 28-all with on quarter remaining. Pentwater pulled it out with an 11-8 scoring advantage in the final eight minutes.
“We had too many unforced errors tonight,” Eastern coach Jake Smith said. “Our passing needed to be better and we have to play through contact and battle every minute. The girls were a little off in the first half and we gave Pentwater some easy opportunities on turnovers that led to some easy buckets by them.”
Aubrie Adams paced the Falcons with 12 points, followed by Richison with seven and Sam Schafer scored six.
Besides Alvesteffer’s 14 points for the Cardinals, Kennady Tyler and Maria Gomez-Jimenez had nine points each.
Pentwater (7-12, 5-10) hosts Mesick in another league game Thursday night.
Mason County Eastern (8-10, 5-8) hosts Manistee Catholic Central on Thursday.
