Source: C & G News

Author: Mike Moore

DEARBORN — Entering Thursday night’s road battle at Dearborn Divine Child, the Farmington Hills Mercy basketball team had a single blemish on its Catholic League Central Division record.

Fittingly enough, it came at the hands of the Falcons back on Dec. 21.

Leaving the Divine Child gym this night, the Marlins’ single blemish remained.

“This was a big win for us,” Mercy coach Gary Morris said of the 46-31 victory. “This is a league where every game is tough. All season we’ve been involved with close games. Really, this one was too until the fourth.”

Mercy’s last loss this season was the 54-39 setback to DC at home in December.

In that game, the Falcons came out firing, connecting on a number of 3-pointers, and the Marlins never recovered from.

Thursday was a different story.

“They didn’t shoot as well tonight, and that was big,” Morris said.

Mercy held the Falcons to just two field goals in the first quarter and led 10-5 after one.

The lead swelled to 24-14 by halftime.

DC clawed back and was within 34-26 late in the third before Mercy drilled a 3-pointer at the end of the frame and essentially pulled away.

“We were very solid on both ends tonight,” Morris said. “We had everyone contributing. Every girl that played tonight played well and made this possible.”

Chloe Godbold led the balanced scoring attack, pouring in a team-high 10 points in the win.

Jackie Bauer and Jenna Schluter each scored nine for the Marlins, who are now 11-2 overall and 9-1 in the Central.

Mercy can clinch the regular season division title with a win against Livonia Ladywood at 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at home.

Courtney Smithon led DC with eight points, while Allie Fillatraut scored seven.

The Falcons fall to 5-8 with the loss.