The Meridian girls' basketball team defeated Granite Falls 37-25 on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at Granite Falls High School.

"I thought our defense was very good tonight," Meridian coach Don McMains said in a phone interview. "To hold any high school team scoreless for a quarter is an accomplishment. It helped us because we didn't shoot well in the first quarter."

Although Meridian (1-3) held Granite Falls scoreless in the first quarter, Granite Falls led 13-11 at halftime.

"We played much more relaxed in the second half and that was key," McMains said. "We were reacting instead of thinking and our defense was better."

Meridian was led by Sydney Swanson, who scored nine points and Abbi Rautenberg, who had six points and four assists.

"Sydney had a tremendous game offensively and defensively," McMains said. "She really set the tone for us on defense."

The Trojans play at La Conner on Friday, Dec. 7.

MERIDIAN 37, GRANITE FALLS 25

Meridian 7 4 16 10 - 37

Granite Falls 0 13 5 7 - 25

Meridian: Madison Holz 2, Kendall DeMerice 2, Allecia Galindo 6, Kendra Holmes 3, Sydney Swanson 9, Abbi Rautenberg 6, Taylor Lunde 3, Allie Mack 1, Janessa Murphy 5, Haley Belanger 0, Grace Pyles 0. Team totals: 14-48 7-15 37.

Granite Falls: A. Hart 3, Mccauley 4, C. Hart 2, Schneider 6, Dove 10, Martinez 0. Team totals: 9-38 4-8 25.

3-ptg: Meridian 2 (Galindo, Swanson 1), Granite Falls 3 (Schneider 2). Rebounds: Meridian 32 (Lunde 8), Granite Falls N/A (N/A). Assists: Meridian 13 (Rautenberg 4), Granite Falls N/A (N/A). Fouls: Meridian 14 (none), Granite Falls 15 (none). Turnovers: Meridian 15, Granite Falls 24.