Saturday non-conference games are often sluggish affairs. Teams have tired legs after playing the night before, the match up is usually considered to be not nearly as urgent as a conference game and — especially for the road team — it can be hard to find the motivation and energy to play well.
Visiting Roland-Story did not lack for energy Saturday, but the frantic, hustling defense of a hard-playing Perry squad was simply too much to handle as the Jayettes ran off with a 50-31 win over their guests.
The Norsemen (5-7) had no answer for Perry senior post Taylor Lathrum, especially in the first half. Lathrum dominated the action under the rim, grabbing numerous rebounds and scoring repeatedly off assists and offensive caroms en route to a career-high 21 points.
Perry (6-6) claimed their fifth win in their last six games thanks to a harassing defensive effort that had R-S struggling to bring the ball up the court and which repeatedly clogged the passing lanes.
The Jayettes held a 13-8 lead after the opening eight minutes, but by the half the margin had swollen to 35-15. The teams played nearly even over the second half, but the issue was never in doubt. The hosts led, 43-22, after three frames and had reserves on the floor early in the fourth quarter.
Grace Marburger added nine points for Perry, with Mariah Duffy scoring seven points and Emma Olejniczak six points while Alyssa Kruger had four points, Haileigh Kenyon two and Grace Stewart one.
Alexa Whipple’s 11 points led R-S, with Jenna Clark scoring seven points and Elli Jennings six. Three points from Dalani Phillips and two each from Madison Friest and Susie Weaver capped the Norsemen score list.
Perry returns to Raccoon River Conference action with a pair of games next week. Bondurant-Farrar will visit the PHS gym Tuesday, with Perry traveling to Boone Friday.
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