By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post Sports
SALINA – The TMP-Marian Monarchs boys basketball team saw its season come to an end on Wednesday afternoon in the opening round of the 2A state tournament, falling 60-44 to St. Marys at the Tony’s Pizza Event Center in Salina.
After the game was tied at 2 early, St. Marys answered with a 9-0 run and led 11-2 with less than three minutes left in the opening quarter.
The Monarchs scored four straight before St. Marys ended the first quarter leading 13-6.
TMP’s offensive struggles continued into the second quarter, they opened the game shooting just 5-of-25 from the floor in the first half.
Meanwhile, the Bears shot better than 52 percent from the floor in the first half and used a 14-3 second-quarter run to build a 16-point lead at 27-9.
St. Marys held a 32-14 lead at the halftime break.
In the second half, TMP began to chip away at the lead. Jacob Seib scored seven of his nine points in the third quarter, and TMP closed the quarter within 11 at 41-32.
But the Bears stormed out of the quarter break on a 16-3 run on their way to the 60-44 victory.
TMP was led by the nine points each of Jacob Seib and Grant Nehls. Sieb added 12 rebounds for his second career double-double.
The Monarchs finish the year 20-6.