Hampshire runs away with Marengo

Hampshire's defense turned an anticipated Big Northern East girls basketball showdown into a rout Tuesday night.

Dialing up the pressure, the Whip-Purs overwhelmed Marengo, 47-23, to take a 1 1/2-game lead in the conference race.

After trailing briefly at the start, Hampshire outscored the Indians 26-7 over the rest of the first half to take a 28-11 halftime advantage. After Marengo cut the lead to 12 after intermission, the Whips responded with a 13-0 run to put the game away.

The Whips' suffocating, trapping defense fueled both runs, with turnovers leading to some easy baskets at the other end.

"Defense has always been a big key for us," said Hampshire junior Cassie Dumoulin. "Coach always puts on the bottom of our game plan sheets that defense wins, and that's what won tonight."

Cassie Dumoulin had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Hampshire (17-4, 7-0). Alex Dumoulin and Christina Heine scored 10 points apiece, and Christine Schumacher added 9 for the Whips. Alex Dumoulin also grabbed 8 rebounds, and Schumacher had 6, as the Whips outrebounded Marengo, 39-22.

"When my kids bring their defense that they can bring with their athleticism, I keep looking up and the game feels closer than it is," said Hampshire coach Sue Ellett. "I look up at the scoreboard and Marengo had 11 points at half. And when you hold anybody to 11 points in a half, you've put yourself in a pretty good position to win."

With Hampshire trailing 4-2, Heine scored inside to tie it. Heine then made a steal and fed Schumacher for a transition layup to put the Whips ahead to stay. Hampshire led 15-10 early in the second period, but outscored the Indians 13-1 the rest of the way.

Jenna Overlee had 7 points for Marengo (13-8, 5-1), which could never find any offensive rhythm. The Indians' defense ignited a 10-5 run to start the second half and get the hosts within 12 points at 33-21. But Heine scored with time running down in the third quarter. Then Schumacher came up with a steal under her own basket and raced the length of the court to lay it in at the buzzer, giving Hampshire a 37-21 lead after 24 minutes.

The Whips continued the run by scoring the first 9 points of the fourth quarter. In fact, Marengo scored just 2 points in the final period while Hampshire continued to pull away.