Aggressive Lancers turn back Willamette, 44-35.

Byline: Paula Lincoln The Register-Guard

MWL GIRLS

Churchill attacked the basket early, made free throws when it counted, and played aggressive full-court defense against the league favorite. Willamette struggled to score early in each period.

As a result, the fourth-ranked Lancers led from start to finish Tuesday en route to a 44-35 Midwestern League girls basketball victory over the No. 6 Wolverines.

Tana Loftin, a 5-foot-3 transfer from Marist, had 14 points and three steals to lead Churchill, which also got 11 points from sophomore guard Alexa Moore.

Danielle Bellando scored 17 points to lead Willamette (7-4, 1-1) in a game in which both teams shot about 30 percent from the field and the two teams combined for 30 turnovers.

"No, it wasn't very pretty," Churchill coach Chris Stewart said. "I think when you've got two good defensive basketball teams, two teams that play great defense, it can be a little bit like that."

Stewart was pleased with the defensive effort his team put forth against Bellando, the league's top scorer last year.

"She was able to score on us when she went one-on-one, but when she missed, I think it was when we surrounded her," Stewart noted.

Loftin scored six of her points in the first quarter, which ended with the Lancers leading 16-9.

Willamette used a 9-2 run to close to within 20-18.

The Lancers provided an opening in the second period for Willamette by missing all 10 shot attempts, while the Wolverines were 2-of-8 from the field but made 5-of-7 free-throws.

Churchill kept its lead by converting 7-of-10 foul shots and led 23-18 at halftime, and extended the lead to 38-26 in the third period. Mackenzie Fegles grabbed seven of her game-high 13 rebounds to spoil Willamette's comeback attempt.

Willamette made a run in the fourth quarter, closing to within 40-33 after a 7-0 run, but that was as close as it got.

In other MWL girls games

Thurston 41, Springfield 21: Melissa Montes scored 10 points to lead the Colts past the visiting Millers.

Marshfield 59, North Eugene 46: Brianna George scored 22 points to lead the host Pirates past the Highlanders. MaKenzie Ficek scored 17 points to lead North Eugene.