HUTCHINSON – For the second time in four years the TMP-Marian boys basketball team earned a fourth-place finish at the 3A state basketball tournament after a 57-44 loss Saturday to Southeast of Saline.
The two teams traded the lead early in the first quarter with TMP leading 6-4 and 8-7. But with TMP up 6-4 Southeast of Saline put together a 9-2 run to end the first quarter and led 13-8 heading into the second period.
Back-to-back field goals for TMP’s Jace Wentling and Dylan Werth cut the Trojans lead to one at 13-12 right out of the gate in the second quarter but Southeast of Saline was able to maintain the lead.
Down 20-14 TMP got a Kade Harris layup and Werth and Wentling scored back-to-back again tying the game at 20 only to see the Trojans hit two straight 3-point field goals and built a 26-20 lead. They lead 26-22 at halftime.
Southeast of Saline opened the third quarter on a 16-4 run to take a 42-26 lead. The Trojans led 44-30 through three quarters.
The Trojans built an 18-point lead to open the fourth quarter on their way to a 57-44 victory.
Jace Wentling finished with a team-high 17 points and eight rebounds. Gavin Unrein added 10 points.
TMP finishes the season 20-6.