WEST DES MOINES — The Marshalltown girls’ basketball team drew a first-round home game and earned its 14th win, marking the program’s best season since the Bobcats claimed 16 games in 2004-05.

There wasn’t much time for celebrating.

Three days after punching their way through the first round of Class 5A Region 3 play, the Marshalltown girls were knocked out of the postseason by No. 2 Dowling Catholic in a 59-18 semifinal match on Saturday night.

Dowling’s three Muller sisters each scored in double figures as the Maroons (19-3) made their way into Tuesday’s regional finals against No. 14 Cedar Rapids Kennedy (12-10).

Marshalltown (14-10) will have a lot to celebrate from this season, but another knock-down, drag-out night on the hardwood won’t be one of those things.

Katie Muller scored 16 points, Ellie Muller had 14 points and 15 rebounds, and Nikki Muller added 12 points and seven boards as the Maroons moved through Marshalltown for the regional victory. It was Marshalltown’s first meeting with Dowling since leaving the Central Iowa Metropolitan League, but it was unfortunately reminiscent of those old cross-conference matchups.

“Obviously, it was an uphill task to begin with,” said MHS head coach Brian Murphy. “I was proud of the way that we battled overall. Our defense especially was really strong and we did a good job with our game plan. It’s a tall task against their offense, but I thought we did a relatively good job of making them work hard for shots.”

MHS junior center Frankie Long picked up her third foul late in the first quarter, and that curtailed Marshalltown’s determination. That and the loss of junior guard Kendall Brummel, who suffered a bloody nose after a collision diving for a loose ball.

Marshalltown was already handcuffed by an ankle injury sustained by senior Jorja Janssen during practice, so it was more of an up-mountain climb for the ‘Cats.

Marshalltown trailed 17-0 after the opening quarter and 38-9 at the half.

MHS junior point guard Amairra Johnson led her team with seven points. Long had five points and eight rebounds to move into the top spot all-time in Marshalltown High School’s recorded history in career rebounds, passing Darcy Burns (1986).

Kinsley Bowie chipped in with four points and Morgan Hilderbrand added a bucket for the Bobcats. Millie Heitmann had five rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots in her finale.

Dowling Catholic 59, Marshalltown 18

MARSHALLTOWN (14-10) — Amairra Johson 2 2-2 7, Kendall Brummel 0 0-0 0, Kinsley Bowie 1 2-2 4, Millie Heitmann 0 0-0 0, Frankie Long 2 1-2 5, Keira Halsted 0 0-0 0, Mallory Meyeraan 0 0-0 0, Morgan Hilderbrand 1 0-0 2, Melanie Fernandez Tadeo 0 0-0 0, Jorja Janssen 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 6 5-6 18.

DOWLING CATHOLIC (19-3) — Katie Muller 6 1-1 16, Nikki Muller 4 2-2 12, Ellie Muller 6 2-2 14, Madison Rice 2 1-2 5, Adrienne Sears 0 0-0 0, Kate Clendenin 0 2-2 2, Emersyn Flattery 1 0-0 2, Olivia Meredith 1 0-0 2, Ruth George 0 0-0 0, Molly Austin 1 0-0 2, Tess Carmichael 0 0-2 0, Everlee Anthony 2 0-0 4, Gianna Deick 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 23 8-11 59.

MHS 0 9 4 5 — 18

DOWLING 17 21 10 11 — 59

3-Point Goals–MHS 1 (Johnson), Dowling 5 (K. Muller 3, N. Muller 2). Team Fouls–MHS 12, Dowling 5. Fouled Out–none.