The Marionville Comets were evenly matched on February 9 as they faced Skyline in a Mid-Lakes Conference game. Both teams made basket-for-basket until the Comets pushed ahead late in the fourth quarter.
The game opened with Marionville, coached by Ted Young, winning the tip and getting the first basket off a post shot from Jordan Dykes. Ryan Combs added another post shot to go up four points.
Both ends lulled midway through the first quarter with neither making points. Skyline and Marionville made mental errors in the first quarter with bad passes and shots.
With about three minutes left in the quarter, Skyline pulled into the lead with two consecutive three pointers, followed by a down-low shot. Marionville trailed 6-10 after Dykes scored on a jumper.
Drew Setzer and Justin Hansen helped keep Marionville within two at the end of the first quarter with the score set at 10-12.
Marionville’s defense improved in the second quarter with the Comets stealing the ball. Setzer started the scoring for Marionville to tie it up at 12. Marionville gained the 17-14 lead with points coming from Brandon McKinney, Dykes and Combs.
Skyline did tie the game at 20 with less than two minutes left in the first half, and Marionville went to the locker room trailing 20-22.
The second half was more of each team trading baskets and tying the score. Dykes first tied the score at 24. Skyline had a slight lead midway through the third quarter, but Hansen put up a three pointer to give Marionville a two-point advantage. Hansen again tied the score at 31 with a steal and layup. Dykes and Setzer gave Marionville the 35-33 lead, but a Skyline three ended the third quarter with Marionville down 35-36.
The Comets jumped into the lead with free throws from Hansen and Dykes, Skyline stole the lead again with a three pointer.
Marionville tied the game at 40 with Hansen scoring on a wide-open shot from the post, but Skyline’s press forced fouls and sent the Comets to the free throw line. Marionville pulled ahead of Skyline point-by-point.
Marionville’s free throw points in the fourth quarter came from Combs and Hansen. Caleb Wells also added two points. Combs ended the game with a steal and near-dunk layup for Marionville to get the 53-45 win.