WOODWARD — Senior Mary Hansen scored 11 of her game-high 28 points in a decisive third quarter to help Woodward-Granger capture a 55-50 non-conference victory over visiting Martensdale-St. Marys Thursday.
Hansen sank one of her three 3-pointers and added a pair of free throws and a trio of baskets off offensive rebounds as W-G (1-2) outscored M-SM, 15-4, turn a 24-23 halftime deficit into a 38-28 lead entering the final quarter. The onslaught proved important, as the Blue Devils fought back into the game to trail by just three points with 50 seconds remaining before falling.
Slow starts and periods of cold shooting cost the Hawks potential victories in their first two games, both of which became losses that Hansen said had frustrated the team. She added that watching a 14-6 lead after one period Thursday turn into a 24-23 halftime deficit only helped to fire up the hosts.
“As a team we came out (of the break) much more aggressive and had played with a lot more energy,” Hansen said. “My teammates were doing a good job of making openings for me and did a good job in getting the ball to me where I could score. I know all of us feel we are a much better team than 1-2.”
A pair of Hansen 3-pointers and baskets from Riley Jamison and Alyssa Bice helped the hosts grab a 14-6 edge after eight minutes of play, but a sudden cold snap from the floor allowed the Blue Devils to surge to a one-point halftime lead.
Hansen’s one-girl show helped W-G post a 15-4 scoring edge in the third frame for a 38-28 lead, but M-SM kept chipping away and were within 51-48 with under a minute to play before the hosts were able to cap the win.
Maggi Mallon had eight points and Kayley Dresback six for W-G, with Jamison and Kendra Husmann adding four points apiece. Baskets from Bice and Kaitlyn Peters and a Riley Kirton free throw capped the Hawk scoring.
Jensen Archibald led M-SM with 12 points, with Kaitlyn Schad adding eight points and Jenny Trom, Morgan Dunn and Skyler Stewart six apiece.
Both teams finished 12-of-25 at the free throw line. Additional statistics were not available.
W-G travels to Des Moines Christian tonight for a girl/boy set, with both W-G squads stepping out of conference once again with a trip to Saydel Monday. Both twin bills will start with the girls game at 6 p.m.
