Madi Finch and Erica Johnson

DES MOINES — The Marshalltown girls’ basketball team picked up its first win of the season and first win in nearly a calendar year, defeating Des Moines Hoover 48-37 on Tuesday night.

A second-half surge proved to be the difference for the MHS (1-1).

The Bobcats trailed 9-4 at the end of the first quarter, but Marshalltown was able to post a 13-point second quarter to take a 17-16 lead at halftime.

Marshalltown kept momentum out of halftime as the Bobcats opened with a 9-0 run.

“The game was tight for most of the first half, but we responded to every run they made,” MHS head coach Brian Murphy said. “We wanted to win the topping two minutes of the third quarter, which we did and more. Holding them scoreless for the first four minutes of the half set the tone, and I thought it was the turning point in the game.”

Despite the early big run, MHS held a four-point lead at 29-25. The Bobcats kept their lead with its free-throw shooting by drawing several fouls. In the quarter Marshalltown was 9-for-15 behind the free-throw line.

“I can’t say enough about our defensive effort,” Murphy said. “We took away driving lanes consistent and earned free throws by boxing out and drawing fouls.

“It was a team win with many players stepping up, especially with Lily and Gabby fouling out in the fourth quarter.”

Leading the Bobcats was Madi Finch and Erica Johnson. Finch totaled 12 points, nine rebounds and three steals while Johnson posted 11 points, nine rebounds and three steals.

Gabby Himes and Aida Almanza also had nine points each. Lily Roberts also had seven points and four rebounds.

The win is Marshalltown’s first since Dec. 14, 2018 against Fort Dodge.

The Bobcats will host Des Moines East on Dec. 6 at 6:15 p.m.