WINTERSET — The Perry girls saw a second-half lead that was as much as 25 points melt down to only eight before hanging on to defeat Winterset, 62-52, in Raccoon River Conference play Tuesday.
Perry (12-5, 6-4) was saved at foul line, as the Jayettes buried 15-of-19 in the second half — after hitting just 1-of-6 in the first half — as Winterset surged back into the contest.
The Jayettes led, 41-16, three minutes into the third quarter and ended the period with a 44-25 advantage. At that point the Huskies began to score at will, outscoring their guests 15-4 over the first four minutes of the final stanza to draw to within 48-40.
However, that was as close the hosts would come as Perry sparkled at the foul line down the stretch. Grace Stewart sank 7-of-9 in the second half, Grace Marburger and Emma Olejniczak were both 3-of-4 at the stripe and Jo Diw drained both of her attempts, a combined 79 percent clip that saved the victory.
Perry started the game at a torrid pace, with Diw, Marburger, Olejniczak and Stewart each hitting one 3-pointer and Molly Lutmer two treys in the first half. The Jayettes exploded to a 26-7 lead after one quarter and were in control, at 35-14, at the half, before the Huskies made their frantic surge.
Stewart and Marburger had 14 points apiece to pace Perry, with Diw and Olejniczak both adding 12 points while Lutmer contributed 10 points.
Macy Johnson had 15 points for Winterset, with Madison Wauters and Mia Olson adding 11 points apiece. Corry Pickering had seven points and Ally Pickering and Erika Shahan four each to cap the home team offense. Olson had three 3-pointers in the loss.
Perry hosts Ballard Friday and Boone Tuesday before visiting Bondurant-Farrar Feb. 10.
