CLINTON —
Muscatine closed the first quarter on a 13-point run, holding Clinton scoreless for more than four minutes as it turned a deficit into a lead it never lost in a 61-20 girls basketball victory Friday night at Yourd Gymnasium.
The Muskies, ranked eighth in Iowa Class 5A, also scored the first four points of the second quarter while holding Clinton scoreless for more than two more minutes.
“My girls never backed down all night and are going through growing pains but are improving each and every day,” Clinton coach Mike Halac said.
When McKenzie Petersen (10 points, six rebounds) banked in a shot midway through the opening quarter, Clinton had its first and only lead of the night, 6-4.
The Muskies (9-1, 6-0 Mississippi Athletic Conference) didn’t let it last long.
Senior all-state player Leti Lerma (game-high 15 points) tied the game at 6 and started the 13-0 run. Shayln Greenhaw converted on a three-point play, Lerma scored in the lane but missed a free throw and Megan Thiesse and Lerma closed the quarter with 3-point baskets for a 17-6 advantage.
The Muskies stretched the lead to 21-6 before Petersen finally ended the six-minute-plus drought for the Queens.
Muscatine slowly expanded the lead the rest of the night, closing the first half with a 12-0 run, the final eight points coming on layups. Lerma had 11 points at the half.
Muscatine scored the first seven points of the third quarter, led by 32 by the end of it and hit the 35-point mark that started the continuous clock early in the fourth period.
Halac saw some positive signs in the loss.
“Freshman Hannah Burken made her first start of the season and looked very good defensively all night long,” he said. “Another freshman, Emma Gettes, came off the bench and did a great job finding the open man and playing some very solid defense. Senior Libby Mumm, junior Shannon Shovlain, freshman Elle Tubbs and Gracie Buech did a very nice job running the offense and battling defensively.”
Erin Wenzel added seven points and nine rebounds for Clinton.
The Queens (2-8, 1-6) return to action Tuesday with a home game against Davenport West.
MUSCATINE 61, CLINTON 20
MUSCATINE (9-1, 6-0) — Clemens 3 0-0 6, Thiesse 5 0-0 13, Walgren 1 0-0 2, Shoultz 1 0-0 2, Miller 2 0-0 4, Graettinger 3 0-0 7, Lerma 6 2-3 15, Greenhaw 2 1-1 5, Beauchamp 2 1-1 5, Livermore 0 0-0 0, Andrino 1 0-0 2. Totals 26 4-5 61.
CLINTON (2-8, 1-6) — Shannon Shovlain 0 0-0 0, Erin Wenzel 2 3-5 7, Elle Tubbs 0 0-0 0, Hannah Burken 0 0-0 0, Gracie Buech 0 0-0 0, Jordan Nelson 1 1-3 3, Allysa Butt 0 0-0 0, Emma Gettes 0 0-0 0, McKenzie Petersen 5 0-0 10, Libby Mumm 0 0-0 0. Totals 8 4-8 20.
Muscatine 6 6 3 5 — 20
Clinton 17 18 12 14 — 61
3-point goals — Muscatine 5 (Thiesse 3, Graettinger, Lerma). Total fouls — Muscatine 14, Clinton 9. Fouled out — None.
Clinton
January 5, 2013
No. 8 Muskies run away from River Queens
- Clinton
-
- Some not wild about hogs CLINTON -- No decision has been made on a proposal for a hog confinement operation in rural Clinton County. This facility would be located approximately 7 miles southeast of Elwood and 5 to 6 miles northwest of Welton. The Clinton County Board of Sup
-
Prospect Avenue questions to be answered
CLINTON — The city of Clinton will host a public meeting regarding Prospect Avenue construction Wednesday at Clinton City Hall. The public information meeting will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in City Council chambers at Clinton City Hall. The
- Union Pacific routes money back into community CLINTON -- Five Clinton-area non-profit organizations were awarded grants from the Union Pacific Foundation on Monday. Big Brother Big Sisters, the Friends of the Clinton Public Library, Mercy Medical Center, the River City Municipal Band and the Un
-
Captain, crew thankful for Clinton's hospitality
CLINTON -- After a fun-filled weekend, the Nina and Pinta have packed up and shipped out to their next location on the Mississippi River. Clinton residents welcomed the ships with warm hospitality Thursday and made the crew feel right at home through
- Head out on the highway CLINTON -- Around 400 Harley riders will cruise into Clinton this weekend as the city hosts the Harley Owners Group 2013 state rally. From Thursday through Saturday, Clinton will be filled with bikers from across the state who will take part in var
-
There's something about Mary for former CHS standout Douglas
Former Clinton High School basketball standout Devan Douglas will continue his basketball career at the University of Mary in North Dakota after two years at Kirkwood Community College.
-
River Kings dump Midland
Clinton's baseball team got back on the winning track Friday, beating Midland 8-1.
-
BREAKING NEWS: Cole pleads guilty to lesser charges
A Clinton man charged with first-degree murder pleaded guilty to two lesser charges this morning.
-
VIDEO: Picketers protest outside Clinton City Hall
Clinton residents held protest signs in front of Clinton City Hall prior to Tuesday night’s Clinton City Council meeting. The picketers said they were there to demonstrate their desire to fix numerous issues in the city, among them potholes and sewer bill increases.
-
Council commits to Jessica Kinser
CLINTON -- Citing her educational experience and time on the job, Clinton City Council members have selected interim city administrator Jessica Kinser as their pick to fill the position permanently. The council in its Committee of the Whole session T
- More Clinton Headlines
