South Tama girls basketball players Jessica Musgrave, Shae Slaven, Abby Llewellyn and Kaitlin Berger run off to their bench to celebrate with the rest of the team following their upset of No. 7 ranked Mount Vernon. The Trojans defeated Mount Vernon 68-65 on Tuesday, January 3. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

In Tuesday’s contest between South Tama and Mount Vernon it all came down to effort. And the Trojans gave more. STC rang in 2017 with a 68-65 win over the Class 3A 7th ranked Mount Vernon Mustangs. The Mustangs hail from the eastern division of the WaMaC conference and Tuesday was their first WaMaC loss.

“I told them since the very first Christmas break practice that we have a really good chance of beating this team. We’ve kept telling them all year we’ve got to have our breakout point. I think it’s coming in January, we’re gonna have it. They have been doing such a great job in practice. They’ve been learning so many things and it’s all finally coming together,” said first year head coach Sarah Mallen.

Starting for South Tama were Allison Yuska, Kaitlin Berger, Jessica Musgrave, Abby Llewellyn and Minnie Climer. Starting for Mount Vernon were Elia Brase, Hayley Corkin, Libby Ryan, Kristen Elliott and Kaitlyn Volesky.

After being up by two (32-30) going into the half, Mount Vernon began to overtake the Trojans in the third quarter outscoring STC 18-11. The Mustangs got up to a nine-point lead. STC sophomore, Jessica Musgrave closed the gap and cut the Mustang lead to five (48-43) going into the fourth.

It all came down to the final three minutes and several key moments. With the score tied at 60, Llewellyn went after a loose ball that went to South Tama following a quick timeout. Mount Vernon’s Volesky added to their lead with a free throw and bucket. Musgrave then tied it up with a free throw and a layup. The Mustangs responded and Volesky put up two quick points. Then with 1:10 remaining Slaven nailed a crucial 3-point shot that put the Trojans up by one (66-65). With 11 seconds on the clock Climer was fouled and sent to the line. She missed her shot but Musgrave stole the ball off the Mustang rebound and snuck in one last quick shot to give the Trojans their winning 68-65 score.

South Tama’s Minnie Climer (24) takes a shot in the first half of play on Tuesday, January 3. The STC?Trojans hosted the Mount Vernon Mustangs. STC defeated Mount Vernon 68-65. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

Musgrave led the Trojans with 26 points. She was 11-13 from the field and also co-led the team in rebounds with 7. Musgrave is a natural on the court. She is quick and scrappy and gets a lot of recognition because she is often the one with the ball in her hands. She had a great performance Tuesday night but also had a lot of help from her teammates. Having breakout games for the Trojans Tuesday were Kaitlin Berger and Minnie Climer. Both had season highs in scoring, Climer with 14 and Berger with 13. Berger also had 7 rebounds.

Tuesday’s matchup wasn’t just a breakout game for the players but also for head coach Sarah Mallen. This is Mallen’s first year of teaching and coaching. She graduated from Wartburg College in 2016 where she played basketball for the Knights. Mallen and assistant coach Ron Hala have now coached the Trojans to a four-game winning streak (tied for the longest win streak since STC rejoined the WaMaC conference in 2014 and are now 5-4 on the season.

“I just feel giddy right now,” said coach Sarah Mallen, “I’m so proud of the girls especially coming off break. I’m just really happy and really proud of our team.”

The Trojans will be on the road to Independence on Friday and back on home next Tuesday to face Class 3A second ranked Marion (9-0).

Quarter Scores

South Tama’s Abby Llewellyn fights for a rebound during Tuesday’s matchup with Mount Vernon. STC defeated Mount Vernon 68-65. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

STC Q1 12, Q2 20, Q3 11, Q4 25

Mount Vernon Q1 14, Q2 16, Q3 18, Q4 17

STC Stats

Pts. Musgrave 26, Climer 14, Berger 13, Llewellyn 6, Yuska 3, Slaven 3, Smith 2

FGM/FGA Musgrave 11-13, Berger 5-9, Llewellyn 3-5, Climer 5-8, Smith 1-4, Slaven 1-6, Yuska 1-2, Rohach 0-5

3PTM/3PTM Berger 2-4, Climer 4-7, Yuska 1-1, Smith 1-4, Slaven 1-4

FTM/FTA Musgrave 4-7, Berger 1-2, Climer 0-1

Off Reb Musgrave 2, Berger 1, Llewellyn 1

Def Reb Berger 6, Musgrave 5, Climer 4, Yuska 3, Slaven 2, Rohach 2, Smith 1

Asst Musgrave 5, Rohach 2

Stl Musgrave 7, Climer 2