West Marshall’s defensive toughness kept the Trojans steady for a third-quarter offensive surge in a 45-39 win over Nevada at West Marshall High School on Tuesday night.

The Trojans improved to 16-5 overall and finished the Heart of Iowa schedule with a 13-3 record; Nevada fell to 10-12 overall, 10-6 in the HOIAC.

West Marshall struggled offensively to start, but made it difficult on the Cubs as the teams battled to a 17-17 stalemate at halftime, including 11 points from the Trojans’ leading scorer, Bella Borgos. Borgos finished with a team-high 16 points.

“We wish it was all four quarters of fire, and most nights it is, but there’s some nights where things just aren’t going your way,” West Marshall head coach Cody Hackett said. “So you’ve really got to fight through adversity, figure out ways to get your teammates involved and just come up with defensive stops.”

T-R PHOTO BY JAKE RYDER - West Marshall senior guard Bella Borgos (20) pulls up for a jumpshot against Nevada during Tuesday’s Heart of Iowa Conference basketball game in State Center. Borgos scored a game-high 16 points in the Trojans’ 45-39 win.

The lid came off the basket in the third quarter as the Trojans went on an 18-3 run that included baskets from six different West Marshall players; the Trojans led 38-29 after three quarters.

“I don’t know if it’s talking to Coach Hackett or just getting really amped up at halftime but we tend to come out in the second half looking to destroy,” Zahnd said. “We knew our shots would start falling again, and then I think we boxed out a little better and were able to rebound.”

Nevada was within 44-37 down the stretch and got a turnover with just under a minute to go, but the Cubs turned it over on a Borgos steal that eventually sealed the game.

Zahnd added nine points for the Trojans and Halle Jones chipped in seven. Zahnd made a couple back-to-back buckets in the fourth quarter as the Cubs were trying to close within one possession.

The senior came into Tuesday with 10.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, as well as 3.6 assists and 3.4 steals.

“Lily does a great job on offense and defense for us,” Hackett said. “Whether it’s altering shots with her length, rebounding, she’s a really good offensive rebounder and we look to her on the offensive side to make plays for us. … She’s a confident girl, and we just have to keep building her up.”

The West Marshall and Nevada communities both showed their support on “Coaches vs. Cancer” night for Zahnd and her family as they embark on a battle bigger than basketball — Donny Zahnd, Lily’s father, was diagnosed with colon cancer in August.

“That’s the best thing about a small community is that everyone’s involved,” Lily said. “No matter what sport, we’re always supportive of each other, and in this part of my life, it’s been something that’s really helped me. It’s like having another family to talk to and support me when I’m low.”

Donny received a standing ovation from the capacity crowd after Tuesday’s game as fans wore dark blue shirts in recognition of colon cancer awareness and raised more than $4,000 for colon cancer research.

“She’s fighting for a lot,” Hackett said of LIly. “She’s fighting for her teammates, playing well for her father and always having a smile to cheer up her teammates and just staying positive and playing hard. That’s just the type of girl she is and I’m super proud of her.”

West Marshall kicks off postseason play in a Class 3A Region 3 opener at home against Union Community on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.

West Marshall 45, Nevada 39

NEVADA (10-12, 10-6) — Jorie Hillman 2 0-0 6, Dakota Hendricks 3 0-0 9, Evelyn Anderson 3 0-0 6, Emilee Kelly 4 0-0 9, Avyn Heintz 4 0-0 8, Aiva Sheets 0 1-1 1, Olivia Jensen 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 16 1-1 39.

WEST MARSHALL (16-5, 13-3) — Bella Borgos 7 0-2 16, Lily Zahnd 4 1-1 9, Natalie Nichols 0 4-4 4, Halle Jones 1 4-6 7, Avery Evertsen 0 2-2 2, Riley Randall 1 0-0 3, Dalaney Eldridge 0 0-0 0, Kinley Johnston 0 0-0 0, Shelby Johnston 2 0-0 4. TOTALS 15 11-15 45.

NEVADA 7 10 12 10 — 39

W. MARSHALL 6 11 21 7 — 45

3-Point Goals–Nevada 6 (Hendricks 3, Hilleman 2, Kelly), WM 4 (Borgos 2, Randall, Jones). Team Fouls–Nevada 19, WM 9. Fouled Out–none.