Madi Graham fires a pass up the court for Warsaw. The senior was outstanding with 17 points in a 61-44 NLC win over Plymouth Saturday night.

WARSAW – Madi Graham was a smooth operator Saturday night.

The Warsaw sharpshooter was dialed in from long distance in helping her team start conference play in fine fashion.

Graham drained five treys in scoring a team-high 17 points as the host Tigers were impressive in downing Plymouth 61-44 in Northern Lakes Conference play in the Tiger Den.

Warsaw, which improved to 9-1 overall with its fourth straight win, used an outstanding team effort to turn back the Pilgrims. The hosts outscored Plymouth, which falls to 8-3 overall and moves to 1-1 in the NLC, 34-17 in the second half.

The veteran Tigers, who started five seniors Saturday night, got great performances from the trio of seniors Graham and  Page Desenberg and sophomore Kacy Bragg in the conference opening win. Graham was 5-9 from the field with all five shots coming from beyond the 3-point line. Desenberg hustled her way to 10 key points, while Bragg also scored 10 on 5-7 shooting.

Warsaw shot 22-38 from the field, including 7-17 on 3-pointers, by sharing the basketball. The Tigers were 11-17 in the final half.

The hosts, in a game of scoring spurts by both teams, took command with a 9-0 run to close the third quarter. The game was tied at 34-34 before Graham drained a three with 3:02 to play to start the pivotal stretch. Bragg added a pair of inside buckets in the run and Desenberg added a rebound basket to give the hosts a 43-34 lead.

Page Desenberg bumps into a Plymouth defender.

Warsaw was lights out in the final frame with a 13-5 run to open the fourth quarter. The hosts outscored the Pilgrims 18-10 in the last period of play to pull away to the convincing win.

Warsaw coach Michelle Harter saw plenty to like from her team, including the fact that they scored 61 points on a night when top scorer Dayton Groninger (who averages 18 points-per-game) finished with just seven points due to limited minutes due to foul trouble.

“I’m extremely happy to see how we had different players step up and score for us tonight,” said Harter. “We’ve been preaching the team concept and the girls continue to do that. It’s difficult to stop five players out there. It was nice for others to step up tonight.

“Madi had a very good game. She’s at her best when she is in rhythm and range like tonight with her shots. She shot it well from outside. Last game, she looked to go inside. It’s big for us that she can score inside or outside.

“I was very pleased with Page again tonight. She just plays with such heart and desire out there. She’s undersized, but just has a knack and is a hustler all the time. Kacy Bragg really gave us a big game too with her play inside.”

Plymouth, which does not have a senior this season, opened strong Saturday night. The Pilgrims led 8-2 before Graham got the Tigers going. The senior guard hit two treys in the first period to spark a 14-2 run to give the Tigers an 18-12 lead. The teams were tied at 27-27 at halftime as Graham had nine points and Alli Andrews had nine for Plymouth, like Graham on three triples.

“We made some adjustments at halftime and our girls did a good job with those,” Harter said. “We were patient, made good reads of their defense and went inside and back outside to get good shots. We got that 9-0 run to end the third quarter that allowed us to relax a little bit.”

Warsaw, now at 9-1, and undefeated and defending the NLC champion Northridge appear to be the early frontrunners for the NLC title. The Raiders improved to 12-0 overall and 2-0 in the NLC by beating Concord 64-16 on Saturday in NLC action. Warsaw was second in the NLC at 6-1 a year ago, with just a loss to Northridge. The Tigers play at Northridge on Jan. 7.

“This is big for us and a good outing,” remarked Harter.  “Plymouth is a solid team. To come out and play our basketball and take care of our home court in the NLC opener is a good win. There are no givens in the NLC. You have to come to play every night. Our next game is with Wawasee (next Saturday in Knightstown) and they are a much improved team this year.”

Madi Graham looks to make a play.

Plymouth, which finished 9-14 overall and 1-6 in the NLC last year, lost 51-39 to Warsaw last season. The win was the Tigers first of the year then after an 0-9 start.

Graham, who is averaging nine points per game, had her second straight big offensive night. She tallied 21 points in a 65-46 home win over Carroll on Wednesday.

Andrews, a junior, guard, led Plymouth with 17 points. Sophomore Halie Reichard finished with 10 for the Pilgrims. Plymouth, which entered play Saturday night allowing just 36 points-per-game, shot just 5-19 from the field in the second half.

Freshman Kaylee Patton scored eight points and senior Kenzie Welk six for Warsaw. Mariah Rivera had two points and Maddie Ryman one.

Plymouth won the junior varsity game 54-42 to remain undefeated. Maddie Ryman led Warsaw with 15 points. Halle Shipp scored 10 points and Kennedy Patton nine for the JV Tigers. Claire Taylor had 14, Sydni Shipp and Christin Davidson 10 each for Plymouth.

Warsaw hosts Columbia City Tuesday night. Plymouth travels to John Glenn Tuesday evening.

Kaylee Patton heads up the floor for the Tigers.

Kacy Bragg had a big game for Warsaw.