MFL MarMac boys split pair of UIC games
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
The MFL MarMac boys basketball team split a pair of Upper Iowa Conference games last week, defeating North Fayette Valley but losing to New Hampton.
In the Feb. 3 game at NFV, the Bulldogs relied on a 22-9 third quarter run to build a double-digit lead over the TigerHawks. Although NFV cut into that margin down the stretch, MFL MarMac held them off for a 70-65 win.
The TigerHawks shot over 44 percent from the field and drained a whopping 13 three-pointers. The Bulldogs made only five three-pointers of their own, but shot better overall, at 47.2 percent, and hit 15 of 18 free throws. NFV got to the line only eight times and completed four.
Carter Lightfoot led MFL MarMac’s effort with 24 points and five assists. He was also among team leaders with two steals and grabbed four rebounds.
Wesley Corlett finished the game with 18 points, five rebounds, a steal and a block, while Eli Hanson earned a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The senior tallied two assists and a steal as well.
Avenging a loss from earlier in the season, New Hampton got the best of the Bulldogs 69-58 on Feb. 6. The Bulldogs got off to a rocky offensive start, falling behind 21-8 in the first quarter. The Chickasaws increased their lead to 42-20 by halftime. Although MFL MarMac put more points on the board in the second half, it wasn’t enough to complete a comeback.
Although New Hampton made six three-pointers to MFL MarMac’s 10, the team shot over 52 percent overall and was a nearly perfect 17/19 from the free throw line. The Bulldogs had just over half the opportunities. Defensively, they earned four blocks, but generated few turnovers against the Chickasaws.
Lightfoot continued as MFL MarMac’s points leader, at 16, and topped the assist column with six. He had a pair of rebounds and one block.
Carsten Pester chipped in 13 points off the bench—12 of them coming from behind the arc—along with three rebounds and a block. Tristan Bacon matched his 13 points and snagged four rebounds. Hanson finished the game with 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal.
With one regular season game to go against Crestwood on Feb. 10, the Bulldogs are now 12-8 overall and 8-7 in Upper Iowa Conference play. They will begin the postseason next week.
