GOODLAND – The TMP-Marian boys used a pair of big first half runs on their way to a 65-43 win over Scott City Thursday and punch their ticket to the 3A Goodland sub-state championship game.
After falling behind 3-0 the Monarchs (18-4) closed the first quarter on a 10-3 run and never trailed again. They led 10-6 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter Scott City (11-11) pulled back within two points at 10-8 but TMP answered right back with a 7-0 run and extended it to a 14-4 run thanks to a Gavin Unrein 3-pointer and a Kenton Ginther steal and layup to go up 29-17.
TMP led by as many 12 points twice in the first half before the Beavers closed within 11 at halftime, 29-18.
The Monarch exploded out of the halftime break on an 8-2 run to go up 37-24.
Later in the third quarter, after Scott City had closed within 11 again at 39-28 TMP put together a 17-6 run to end the third quarter and start the fourth quarter.
TMP’s Dylan Werth scored 16 of his game-high 24 points in the second half as the Monarchs maintain their advantage and closed with a 65-43 victory.
Werth led all scorers with 24 points, his third straight 20 point performance. Jace Wentling added 12 points for the Monarchs.
TMP will take on Norton in Saturday’s sub-state championship game after the Bluejays knocked off Phillipsburg 46-37.