Millie Heitmann

MASON CITY — The Marshalltown girls’ basketball team used a fourth-quarter surge to score back-to-back wins over Mason City for the first time in 17 years, beating the Riverhawks 45-41 on Tuesday night.

The Bobcats (8-5, 3-2) led by as many as five in the first half before Mason City (4-10, 2-3) got out to a 34-30 lead going into the fourth quarter. Marshalltown pushed past the Riverhawks with an 11-1 run that spanned all but the final minute of the game.

“This definitely falls under the category of an ugly win we are willing to walk away with,” said MHS head coach Brian Murphy. “Incredibly proud of the grit and determination from this team. We were down four going into the fourth, but they fully believed we were going to win and they went out and did it.”

Millie Heitmann led the Bobcats with 11 points to go with 10 rebounds, four steals and three assists. Amairra Johnson contributed 10 points and four steals, while Jorja Janssen got eight points, five boards and four steals.

Frankie Long and Kinsley Bowie had six points apiece, with Long pulling down 14 rebounds and blocking four shots before fouling out in the fourth.

Anna Lathan led Mason City with 15 points and Gracyn Braun added 12.

The Bobcats are off until next week, when they play three more road games starting Monday at Grinnell.