OAKLEY – The TMP-Marian Monarchs girls' basketball team could not overcome a slow start and was held to its lowest-scoring output of the season Tuesday. They fell 45-22 to the Oakley Plainsmen in the semifinals of the Mid-Continent League tournament in Oakley.
TMP’s loss to Oakley ended a 12-game win streak against the Plainsmen.
The Monarchs (4-5) got an early 5-2 lead, scoring on a three-point play from Gracyn Schippers and a fastbreak layup by Raegan Allen.
After taking the lead, the Monarchs were held scoreless for the next eight minutes while Oakley finished the first quarter and opened the second quarter on a 13-0 run, building a double-digit that they would hold on to for much of the game.
TMP trailed by as many as 11 in the first half while shooting just 18 percent from the floor. They were down 23-15 at the break.
Oakley (7-3) opened the second half on a 9-0 run and led 32-15 with just over four minutes left in the third quarter.
The Monarchs never threatened in the fourth quarter in a 45-22 loss.
Gracyn Schippers led TMP with nine points.
Alexa Weiser scored a game-high 13 points for Oakley.
On Friday, Oakley will play Phillipsburg in the second girl's semifinals in WaKeeney.
TMP will take on Norton in the consolation semifinals on Thursday afternoon in Hays.