Basketball Recap: Marion Snaps Three-Game Streak of Losses at Home

If Great Hearts Northern Oaks wanted to avenge their loss from the last time they played Marion, they should've done a better job of containing Whitley Wiatrek. The Marion Bulldogs managed a 50-44 win over the Great Hearts Northern Oaks Griffins on Friday thanks in part to Wiatrek, who went 11 of 23 en route to 24 points and eight rebounds. She has been hot recently, having also posted two or more steals the last three times she's played.

Another player making a difference was Brianna Hunter, who posted ten points in addition to five assists and four steals. That's the most steals she has posted since back in November of 2024.

Great Hearts Northern Oaks' loss came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was DeLaney Paulos, who earned 15 points. That was a full 34.1% of Great Hearts Northern Oaks' points, marking the fifth time in a row she's had more than a third of the team's points. Elizabeth Paulos was another key player, putting up ten points.

Marion's victory ended a three-game drought at home and bumped them up to 6-19. As for Great Hearts Northern Oaks, their defeat was their fourth straight on the road, which dropped their record down to 5-11.

Marion has already played their next contest (against Young Women's Leadership Academy), but no score has been uploaded at the time of writing. Great Hearts Northern Oaks has already played their next game, a 66-44 loss against Cole on the 21st.