LE GRAND — The South Tama girls basketball team continued the search to capture their first win of the 2023 season last Monday, as they took the short road trip to East Marshall to face off against the Mustangs. After several competitive games that just failed to end in their way, the Trojan girls had a great opportunity to win a game on the road while the Mustangs intend to defend against the upset on their home court.

As the game got underway, it was the Trojans who struck first by getting off to an early lead. Senior Kayla Heck continued the offensive scoring success she has been having all season by driving into the paint to get easy layup opportunities.

Meanwhile, juniors Janette Cervantes and Aubrey Dolezal protected the basket on the defensive end for the Trojans. At the end of the first quarter, it was all South Tama as they amassed a 12-1 lead on the Mustangs.

The second quarter was a different story as the Mustangs got back on track and evened the scoring out against the Trojans defense. Senior Morgan Neuroth of East Marshall caught fire from three-point range to help boost the Mustangs back into the game.

But with every three Neuroth made, it seemed to be matched by junior Madison Hitchcock of STC, who was having one of the best shooting nights of her young career. This aided the Trojans in keeping a comfortable lead going into halftime at 27-15.

But unfortunately for the Trojans, East Marshall wasn’t going to give this game away as they stormed back to start the second half. Neuroth continued her impressive shooting on offense which the Trojan defense didn’t seem to have an answer for.

But it was the Mustang defense that really made the difference as junior Vaeda Bryan of East Marshall really picked up the intensity on that end of the floor, helping the Mustangs hold the Trojans to only three points in the third quarter. This gave the Mustangs the lead going into the fourth quarter at 31-30.

The Trojans fought back against the Mustang run, the lead continued to go back and forth as the clock started winding down. Hitchcock and freshman Olivia Hala finally broke the stubborn Mustang defense providing the Trojans with their much needed second half scoring.

But in the end, the Mustangs, led by Neuroth, were not to be stopped as they were able to hold the Trojans late comeback off to win 49-45. Neuroth ended the game with 27 points, going 5-of-16 from three-point range.

The Trojans had an even scoring spread to finish the game as Hitchcock had 14 points, Hala had 10 points, and Heck had nine points. Cervantes had herself a game on the defensive end with 10 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. The Trojans will look to bounce back from this close loss at home on Jan. 5 against the Independence Mustangs.