Maranatha Christian got off to a slow start on Thursday.

Making its seventh consecutive appearance in the girls basketball state tournament, Maranatha trailed much of the first half. 

But the Mustangs eventually took control in a 91-79 victory over Southwest Minnesota Christian in the Class 1A quarterfinals at Mariucci Arena.

“We started playing defense,” said Mustangs coach Chris Buerman. “In the first half, Southwest shot 50 percent from the field.”

The Mustangs, who battled back to tie the score at halftime, 47-47, limited Southwest Minnesota Christian to 38 percent shooting in the second half. The Mustangs also had 18 steals as they forced the Eagles into 30 turnovers.

The third-seeded Mustangs (25-6) outscored the Eagles, 18-8, in the first five minutes of the second half to take control. Junior Sami Payne scored eight points and sophomore Jaclyn Jarnot scored six to fuel the run. The closest the Eagles (27-2) got in the final 13 minutes was four points.

Jarnot, a 6-0 forward, scored 33 points and had 16 rebounds to lead the Mustangs. Guard Alaina Jarnot, the only senior on the Mustangs’ roster, added 25 points and Payne finished with 17 points.

“Sami is really underrated,” Buerman said. “She’s been a rock at both ends of the floor.”

Chantel Groen scored 30 points to lead the Eagles.

First report

In a battle of high-scoring offenses in the first half, Maranatha Christian pulled away in the second half for a 91-79 quarterfinal victory over Southwest Minnesota Christian in the final Class 1A quarterfinal Thursday at Mariucci Arena.

The third-seeded Mustangs, making their seventh consecutive state tournament appearance, trailed by 10 points early in the first half but battled back to forge a 47-47 tie at halftime. The Mustangs opened the second half with an 18-8 run to take control.

Maranatha sophomore Jaclyn Jarnot scored 33 points to lead the Mustangs (25-6). Chantel Groen scored 30 to lead Southwest Christian (28-2).

Check back later for more on the game.