Terrones scored 30 points despite being the focal point of GMG’s (4-17, 3-9) defensive gameplan heading in — using the fast break and her dribbling ability to get into the lane and finish tough shots.

Mustang coach Greg Lee said the school has been lucky to have a scorer like Terrones this year.

“She has put an enormous amount of time into basketball,” Lee said.

The big Senior Night performance was just what East Marshall needed, as the Mustangs’ shooting was not at the level it was Friday night against West Marshall. Seven points from Ellie Hull was the next best tally for the Mustangs. The scoring imbalance didn’t seem to matter, though, as Terrones was able to break through double-teams and create havoc.

T-R PHOTO BY NOAH ROHLFING - East Marshall’s Rachael McAnulty (12) drives against GMG defenders Angel Schewe (25) and Belle Duncan, far right, during Monday’s game in Le Grand.

GMG coach Justin Hornberg said they tried to cut off the rest of the team from Terrones and limit her to her season average.

“Everything she got, she worked extremely hard for,” Hornberg said.

Terrones had 19 of the Mustangs’ 25 first-half points, but GMG’s offense was starting to cause its own problems for the Mustangs.

Lee said the team had to change to a couple of zone schemes in the third quarter to try and take away some of the Wolverines’ offensive aggressiveness. In the third, the Wolverines were held to eight points and East Marshall ballooned its lead to 11 points.

In the fourth quarter, things got hairy for the Mustangs as GMG staged a comeback to get within four points with three minutes to play. Emily Vaughn and Belle Duncan led the Wolverines with 10 points apiece.

T-R PHOTO BY NOAH ROHLFING

It was less than 30 seconds before Terrones would find the basket again to give the Mustangs a 45-39 lead and some breathing room.

It was the sixth win of the year for the Mustangs, and a needed one heading into postseason play.

Lee had nothing but thanks for his senior class.

“They’re a quiet group, but they’re serious kids that are involved in a lot of things and get good grades,” Lee said. “It’s nice to have a bunch of kids that take school seriously, and when they compete they do that as well.”

As for the Wolverines, Hornberg has been happy with the improvements his team has made this year — despite the loss Monday.

T-R PHOTO BY NOAH ROHLFING

He added that with playoffs coming up, the slightest bit of momentum could make the difference, especially with the Wolverines’ defense.

“I think these last five games, we’ve been playing our best basketball all season,” Hornberg said. “We’ve played some really good basketball teams, and we’ve been holding our own for the most part.”

East Marshall ends its regular season tonight against Meskwaki and then opens the playoffs Feb. 18 against Class 2A No. 3 North Linn. GMG plays at Collins-Maxwell on Thursday night in the opening round of regional action.

East Marshall 47, GMG 41

At Le Grand

GMG (4-17) — Belle Duncan 4 2-7 10, Angel Schewe 3 0-0 7, Emily Vaughn 3 4-6 10, Jordan Yilek 1 0-0 2, Jenna Yilek 4 0-2 8, Colby Miller 0 2-2 2, Ashlyn Plowman 0 0-0 0, Marriah Stonewall 0 2-2 2. TOTALS 15 10-19 41.

EAST MARSHALL (6-14) — Reagan McIlrath 0 2-3 2, Rachael McAnulty 2 0-1 4, Clare Veren 0 0-0 0, Olivia Terrones 14 2-6 30, Kodie Hoskey 2 0-0 4, Delaney Runner 0 0-0 0, Ellie Hull 3 0-0 7, Kennedy Wheater 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 21 4-10 47.

GMG 7 12 8 14 — 41

E. MARSHALL 10 15 13 9 — 47

3-Point Goals–GMG 1 (Schewe), EM 1 (Hull). Total Fouls–GMG 16, EM 17. Fouled Out–none.