URBANDALE — Des Moines Christian slipped past the Perry girls in a non-conference cage battle Saturday, 44-43, thanks in no small part to a difference in accuracy with the basketball.
Perry had a final possession with only a second on the clock but were unable to get a shot off in falling to 1-3 overall.
The hosts were 10-of-14 at the free throw line in the game, with Perry hitting only 8-of-16, a margin that proved fatal. The Lions missed all eight of their 3-point attempts but still managed to shoot 17-of-41 from the floor, draining 17-of-33 shots inside the arc.
Long-range shooting actually helped Perry’s accuracy, as the Jayettes hit 5-of-14 from 3-point land but only 10-of-47 otherwise, with Mia Rosener troubling the guests by blocking six shots.
Perry fell into a 13-3 hole after one quarter of play but responded sharply, outscoring their hosts, 19-8, in the second quarter to snatch a 22-21 halftime advantage. The Lions led, 35-31, after three frames, and while the Jayettes were able to close the gap, they could not post a lead at the final horn.
Beth Zimmer and Ebby Prewitt had 12 points apiece for the home team, with Rosener adding 10 points and six rebounds to her six blocked shots.
Taylor Lathrum led all scorers with 18 points for the Jayettes while grabbing 11 rebounds to complete a double-double.
Grace Marburger provided 14 points and six rebounds for Perry, with Jo Diw hitting for five points while making three assists. Victoria Hegstrom had four points and five caroms, with Alyssa Kruger adding a basket.
Mariah Duffy did not score but contributed four rebounds, three assists and two steals for Perry, who was playing without starter Emma Olejniczak.
Perry returns to action Tuesday for a boys/girls set at DC-G, with both Perry teams visiting Ballard Friday.
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