Erica Johnson

WATERLOO — Almost a year removed from last year’s season-opening win, the Marshalltown girls’ basketball team nearly got another.

The Bobcats led Waterloo East 19-16 at the half but could not finish it out, falling 49-46 to the host Trojans on Monday night.

Waterloo East (1-0) outscored the Bobcats 18-7 in the third quarter to overtake them for good, though not without some drama. Marshalltown (0-2) used an 8-2 run at the start of the fourth period to pull within two, 36-34, before the Trojans pulled away with a 5-0 surge of their own.

Erica Johnson scored a career-high 24 points — more than half of Marshalltown’s final tally — to go with eight rebounds and seven steals to lead the Bobcats before fouling out.

Madi Finch finished with 11 points and Kyra Feldman contributed six points for MHS.

The Bobcats’ three-game road swing continues tonight with their game at Class 5A No. 2 Johnston (2-1).