Source: Observer/Eccentric

Author: Dan O'Meara

Farmington Hills Mercy avenged an earlier loss when it defeated Dearborn Divine Child on its own floor Tuesday in girls basketball, 52-42.

Senior Taylor Jones poured in a game-high 26 points to lead the Marlins, who were on the short end of a 52-43 score when the teams played earlier this month at Mercy.

Seniors Zora Pullen and Sierra Wangler added 12 and eight points, respectively, to help Mercy improve to 4-2 in the Catholic League Central Division and 10-2 overall.

Jones also had a team-high nine rebounds; Wangler had eight rebounds and six assists. The Marlins rebounded well with Claire Murray, who added four points, also getting six and Pullen five.

Mercy trailed at halftime, 25-24, and had its best quarter of scoring in the third with 16 points to take the lead, 40-36. The Marlins held the Falcons to just six points in the fourth.

"In the first half, I thought we were out of position many times on defense, which led to some easy baskets for them," coach Gary Morris said. "Fortunately, we were pretty efficient on offense and were able to match their scoring for the most part.

"We made some adjustments at the half defensively, and I thought we played much better in the second half. We only allowed 17 points versus 25 in the first.

"We played well in the third quarter and got the lead. They came back and we answered again in the four quarter. It's a nice win on the road for us."

Riley Blair scored 13 points and Hailey Case eight for Divine Child, which dips to 3-3 in the division and 8-4 overall. The Marlins were 11-of-14 at the foul line, the Falcons 4-of-7.