OWATONNA — John Marshall — likely the youngest team in the Big Nine Conference — is still learning how to finish off games.
The Rockets couldn't quite polish things off Tuesday night as they fell 55-50 to solid Owatonna in a Big Nine game.
JM led 22-21 at intermission, but struggled some late in the second half.
"It was a tough one for us," JM coach Terry Heiderscheit said. "We have a week to figure out how to take better care of the ball and get stops late in the game. We do that and we may have six more wins this year. Kids are working hard (but they) just need to finish games better."
JM (7-9 Big Nine, 10-14 overall) was led by eighth-grader Jamie Ruden with 16 points and junior Katelyn Rushton with 11.
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Owatonna moved to 11-5 Big Nine and 15-8 overall.
The Huskies were paced by Sarah McCann's 13 points. Brooke Hrdlicka added 12.
Owatonna 55, John Marshall 50
JOHN MARSHALL (50)
Christina Block 2, Katelyn Rushton 11, Kalli Fautsch 0, Megan Byrne 0, Megan Haynes 7, Allison Radke 2, Allyson Sherden 6, Jamie Ruden 16, Nicole Fautsch 6.
OWATONNA (55)
Rachel Malo 6, Toni Glynn 0, Brooke Hrdlicka 12, Sarah McCann 13, Madison Eggermont 2, Katlin Ptacek 4, Kyndal Cox 8, Kendra Schroeder 10.
Halftime: JM 22, OWA 21.
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Free throws: JM 9-13, OWA 18-22.
Three-point goals: JM 1 (Haynes), OWA 1 (Hrdlicka).
