Warsaw’s Mariah Rivera moves past a Plymouth defender Saturday night. Plymouth topped the host Tigers 41-26 in the conference opener (Photo by Ansel Hygema)

WARSAW – A talented and veteran Plymouth girls basketball team would have presented plenty of challenges to a Warsaw squad at full strength Saturday night.

The Pilgrims made it a long night though on a short-handed Tiger team.

Plymouth started strong en route to topping the host Tigers 41-26 in the Northern Lakes Conference opener for both teams.

Haley Harrell, one of four seniors in the starting lineup, led the Pilgrims with 10 points. Hunter Stevens added seven points for Plymouth, which led the entire game.

Sophomore Dayton Groninger paced Warsaw with 10 points.

Dayton Groninger led Warsaw with 10 points (Photo by Ansel Hygema)

The Pilgrims, displaying their program trademark of patience on offense and stellar team defense, bolted to a 12-2 lead to open the game. Plymouth, now 8-1 on the season, hit their first three shots and led 17-9 after the opening period.

The Tigers, who drop to 4-5, were without sophomore point guards Madi Graham and Kilee Slone. Both were sidelined due to illness, although Slone has missed the last seven games now after suffering a concussion in practice following a loss to Luers on Nov. 18.

Warsaw, which had won four of the last five meetings versus Plymouth, trailed 23-13 at halftime. The Tigers scored the first five points of the second half as Groninger hit a trey and Vicki Harris put in a layup to pull within 23-18.

The Tigers would get no closer though. The Pilgrims outscored the hosts 9-2 the rest of the third period to take a 32-20 lead. Harrell, who finished the game 7-8 from the free throw line, then hit six free throws in the fourth quarter.

Warsaw entered the game averaging 44 points-per-contest. The 26 was a season low and tied for the sixth lowest single-game output in program history. Plymouth, which was coming off a 64-48 loss to South Bend Washington Wednesday night, was allowing 37 ppg.

The Tigers finished just 8-26 from the field for the game, including 3-14 in the second half. The hosts also made just 8-17 free throws and had 20 turnovers.

Pam Miller of Warsaw tries to avoid a Plymouth defender (Photo by Scott Davidson)

“I thought we were playing good defense and Plymouth just came out on fire to start,” said Warsaw coach Michelle Harter. “We still battled back to get within five in the third quarter and then we had some empty possessions. Our Achilles heel all season has been putting the ball in the basket and that was the case again tonight.

“You can’t have 20 turnovers versus a good, solid team like Plymouth in a game where the possessions are going to be limited. We didn’t value the ball at times tonight. I do credit their defense. They play good, solid fundamental defense. But we had some opportunities and didn’t finish shots too. It’s a confidence thing right now.

“With both Madi and Kilee, my two point guards, out it is difficult. That does hurt us with our two main ball handlers out. I thought Mariah (Rivera) did a good job for us in that role tonight.”

Coach Dave Duncan’s Pilgrims, which beat Warsaw 32-26 last year, shot 14-33 from the field (including 9-17 in the opening half). Plymouth was 10-13 from the line.

Erin Clemens puts up a shot in the lane for the Tigers (Photo by Scott Davidson)

The trio of sophomore Page Desenberg and seniors Vicki Harris and Pam Miller each had four points for Warsaw. Sophomore Mariah Rivera and senior Erin Clemens each had two.  Miller led her team with five rebounds.

Groninger also had five rebounds and a team-high four steals for the Tigers.

Alli Andrews netted six points and Nicole Horvath added five for Plymouth. Harrell had four steals and Wright three to lead the stingy defense for the Pilgrims.

Warsaw won the junior varsity game 34-21. Kenzie Welk scored 11 points to lead the Tigers. Maddy Martz had eight points, Lauren Shaffner seven and Jessie Kersey six for Warsaw. Kaylee Hayes paced Plymouth with five points.

Warsaw hosts Columbia City and Plymouth plays at Glenn in non-conference games Tuesday night.

Kenzie Welk protects the basketball from a Plymouth player (Photo by Ansel Hygema)