In match up of two teams looking for their second NWC conference win of the season, the Meridian girls' basketball team outlasted Squalicum, earning a 50-45 win Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Squalicum High School.
Jessica Greene scored a season-high 18 points for the Storm (1-17, 1-10 NWC), while Meridian's Ali Wasel (12), Sara Dougan (10) and Kira Nelson (10) all accomplished double digit scoring nights for the Trojans (5-12, 2-9 NWC).
The Storm's Bailey Molnar scored her first field goal of the season on a 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter to give Squalicum a 34-33 lead, but Storm coach Mark Wright said turnovers hurt Squalicum in the final eight minutes of play.
"It was a pretty close game tonight," Wright said in a phone interview. "Meridian came out pretty energized, and for whatever reason I'm not sure we had the same energy level at the beginning of the game. On offense, Jessica has kind of been timid, but tonight (Meridian) played zone, and she was hitting shots. Hopefully the lights went on for her and she can be there us. It was fun to watch her score."
Meridian's next game is against Mount Vernon at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at Mount Vernon High School. Next for Squalicum is a matchup against Anacortes at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at Anacortes High School.
MERIDIAN 50, SQUALICUM 45
Meridian 13 12 8 17 - 50
Squalicum 8 11 15 11 - 45
Meridian: Kelli Terpsma 3, Kira Nelson 10, Hannah Belanger 10, Carly Nelson 5, Abbi Rautenberg 0, Natasha Bachman 0, Sara Dougan 10, Ali Wasel 12, Tatum Garcia 0. Team totals: 17-57 14-23 50.
Squalicum: Meghan Lowry 6, Sam Starr 1, Jessica Greene 18, Kayla Chang 0, Bailey Molnar 3, Lauren Eckert 5, Hannah Lewis 0, Gina Flint 6, Janna Poradun 6. Team totals: 12-42 14-24 45.
3-ptg: Meridian 2 (Dougan/Terpsma 1), Squalicum 7 (Greene 4). Rebounds: Meridian 40 (Dougan 8), Squalicum 42 (Flint 13). Assists: Meridian 11 (Terpsma 4), Squalicum 8 (Greene 3). Fouls: Meridian 22 (Wasel), Squalicum 21 (Flint/Poradun). Turnovers: Meridian 15, Squalicum 29.
