Freshmen Ava Bates knocked down four three-pointers to help lead the Lady Marauders past New Lothrop Friday, 42-39.  Bates finished with a career high 15 points and added 5 rebounds and 2 assists.  Caitlyn Walter added 10 points and 5 rebounds.

"I can't say enough about Ava and the way she's been playing lately," said Head Coach Ryan Cunningham.  "She is getting better and better as the season goes on and more comfortable taking on a bigger role."

It was a nip and tuck game all night which saw Ovid-Elsie get out to an early 4-0 lead and never trailed in the contest.  The Marauders used scoring advantages in the first and second quarters (9-7 and 10-6, respectively) to build a 19-13 half time lead.  New Lothrop would battle back by winning the second half 26-23 but it wasn't enough to overcome the Lady Marauders. 

Ovid-Elsie improves to 7-3 (2-1 MMAC) while New Lothrop falls to 5-2 (3-1 MMAC).

"It won't show up in the scoring column, but Kiah Longoria, Evalyn Cole, Kaylee Hall and Braylon Byrnes did an outstanding job on (Brooke) Wenzlick," said Cunningham.  "She finished with 19 points but our goal was to make her earn each and every point.  She is an amazing player but I thought collectively we did a nice job defending her."

Cole finished the night with 5 points while Braeden Tokar finished with 6 points and 5 rebounds before leaving the game with an injury.  Hailee Campbell added 4 points and 4 rebounds for the Marauders.

"Braeden tweaked her knee," said Cunningham.  "We don't know her status yet so we will keep her in our thoughts and prayers and hope for a quick recovery.  She is an important part of this team."

Ovid-Elsie only committed 10 turnovers on the night and handed out 8 assists on 16 made baskets.  OE also shot 6 of 16 from long range.

Ovid-Elsie will host league foe Durand on Tuesday night and also LakeVille on Thursday night.