Source: Hometown Life

Author: Dan O'Meara

Farmington Hills Mercy earned its third consecutive victory Tuesday with an uncharacteristically easy win over host Dearborn Divine Child, 47-24.

Historically, most games between the Catholic League Central Division opponents are close, down-to-the-wire battles that are decided by eight points or less.

The Falcons, who were league runners-up and Class B quarterfinalists last year, lost a majority of that team to graduation and their top returning player to a season-ending knee injury.

It was still a good win for the Marlins, who are 2-0 in the division and 5-3 overall. Mercy’s next game is Friday night at Bloomfield Hills Marian, the defending league and Class A state champion.

The Marlins expanded a 10-6 lead after one quarter to 22-11 at halftime. Mercy was ahead through three periods, 37-14.

Mercy coach Gary Morris recalled his team was ahead of Chandler Park a week earlier by 11 points at halftime. The Cougars rallied to tie the score before the Marlins won by four.

“I was really pleased how we played in the third quarter tonight,” he said. “In the first five minutes, we pretty much took control of the game. That’s something we hadn’t done yet this year, to really put an opponent away.

“We finally got to the point we’re competing at the level we need to at practice, and that has helped us. We’re getting a little healthier, too. As Zora Pullen and Jenna Schluter get healthy, that’s helping us.

“What’s also nice was we got to play all 12 players who dressed and all got decent minutes.”

Katie Coe led the Marlins with 10 points. Pullen scored eight, Jackie Bauer and Marissa Hardenbergh seven apiece; Jordyn Schluter added five.

Bella Dugas chipped in five rebounds, three steals and two points. Pullen had four rebounds and Coe three steals.

Shannon Rice led the Falcons (0-3, 1-8) with eight points.