The Marysville girls basketball team celebrated their 38-37 victory over Colfax on Wednesday, January 31, with lots of hugs and smiles.

COLFAX, CA (MPG) - The Marysville girls’ basketball team ended the Colfax Falcons’ 32-game winning streak in the Pioneer Valley League dating back to the 2021-22 season as they beat the Colfax Falcons 38-37 on Wednesday, January 31.

Marysville sophomore guard Abigail Pietz (2) releases the game-winning three pointer in the Lady Indians’ 38-37 win over Colfax on Wednesday, January 31.

The game was a defensive battle that began from the opening tip and didn’t let up until the clock hit triple zeros at the end of the game.

Colfax led 11-7 at the end of the first after both teams defensively locked in their full-court-press defense on one another.

Marysville senior Krystal Briggs (25) shoots a shot in the Lady Indians’ 38-37 win over Colfax on Wednesday, January 31.

The defense in the first half was the story as you could see it was a chess match as both teams committed turnovers in the open court.

Marysville Head Coach Ike Prince told the Dispatch that both teams defensively attacked the ball in the air.

Marysville seniors Kaliyah Henry (1) and Krystal Briggs (25) battle for a rebound in the Lady Indians’ 38-37 win over Colfax on Wednesday, January 31.

“Both teams anticipated what the other was going to do on offense,” Prince said. “After that, it boiled down to who made the most shots and took care of the ball the most.”

One of the adjustments the Lady Indians made from their January 10 loss against Colfax was the attempt to drive to the basket more and not try and have a shootout with them. In the first matchup, Marysville attempted 16 three-point shots compared to the five the Lady Indians attempted the second time around.

Marysville senior Krystal Briggs (25) puts a shot attempt up against Colfax in the Lady Indians’ 38-37 victory on Wednesday, January 31.

The lady Falcons took a 19-12 lead at the end of the first half as Marysville senior Krystal Briggs led the Lady Indians with eight points. Briggs had seven rebounds and four steals, and also ended up tied with the game-high in points with Marysville sophomore guard Abigail Pietz.

The Lady Indians also took care of the ball better overall, and although they still got outrebounded by the Lady Falcons during the game, they limited the second chance point opportunities in the second half.

Marysville senior forward Maya McNeal (34) goes for a loose ball in the Lady Indians’ 38-37 victory over Colfax on Wednesday, January 31.

Briggs expressed to the Dispatch that after the first matchup a few weeks ago, the whole team has worked well with one another and picked each other up on the court with adjustments daily.

In the second half, the Marysville defense came out with a jolt of energy and continuously challenged Colfax every possession down the floor, but the Lady Falcons held a five-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Lady Indians closed the gap to a one-possession game within the first couple minutes of the final quarter and then Colfax went on a cold streak from the floor where they were scoreless for a couple-minute stretch.

Marysville senior guard Kaliyah Henry (1) shoots a three pointer in the Lady Indians’ 38-37 victory at Colfax on Wednesday, January 31.

Pietz put Marysville up 38-36 just inside of a minute remaining in the game. Colfax junior forward Juliette James made a free throw to make it a one-point game within the final 45 seconds. As there was a quick flurry of a couple turnovers by both teams it came down to the Lady Indians needing to pass the ball in and controlling the possession with 2.9 seconds to secure the victory. 

Colfax made a couple stabs at the ball, but at the end Marysville was able to run the clock out and secure the tie atop the PVL standings. As both teams will be competing in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs next week, we can expect both teams to get a high seed.

Marysville sophomore guard Abigail Pietz (2) attempts a pass inside to senior forward Maya McNeal (34) in the Lady Indians’ 38-37 win over Colfax on Wednesday, January 31.

The Lady Indians traveled to Wheatland on Monday night before they hosted Lindhurst on Wednesday night. Marysville hosts Bear River at 5:30 p.m. for senior night, but this will be a competitive game as Bear River gave the Lady Indians a tough fight in their first meeting on January 19, where Marysville won 64-49. 

The CIF SJS brackets will be announced on February 10.