Marion used a tenacious defense Wednesday night to down Vinton-Shellsburg, 63-38, in a first-round Class 3A regional tournament girls basketball game at Marion.

The Indians held Vinton-Shellsburg to seven, nine, and seven points, respectively, through the first three quarters while committing only 10 fouls throughout the game to totally frustrate their opponents.

“I was really happy with our intensity,” said Marion Coach Brian O’Donnell.  “We didn’t shoot quite as well tonight, but we crashed the boards and our defense carried us.”

In the strange statistic of the night, Vinton-Shellsburg only managed five 2-point baskets, yet made eight 3-pointers.  The Vikettes were completely unable to get into the lane.

Marion's Dani Peyton led all scorers with 18 points and freshman Michalyn Mohr added 13.  Mohr left the game early after taking an inadvertent elbow to the nose.

“We really pushed the ball in the first half and my teammates got me off to a fast start by finding me when I was open,” said Peyton.  “Our offense is pretty balanced.  Any of us can step up on a night and it makes it easier for all of us.”

Backup inside player Elizabeth Deeney stepped up and played some key minutes for the Indians.  She scored five points and got some critical rebounds to support the team.

“That is what we do.  We all play together and we all help each other out.  We are part of a team,” explained Deeney about her role.

Kristin Henderson led Vinton-Shellsburg with 15 points, including four 3-pointers.  Vinton-Shellsburg finished the year 1-21.

“Just glad we are movin’ on,” said O’Donnell.  “We played four pretty solid quarters tonight and we have been working toward that all year.  We can build on that for Saturday’s game.”

Marion (14-8) hosts Center Point-Urbana (15-7) Saturday at 7 p.m. The Indians lost twice to the Stormin' Pointers during the regular season.

VINTON-SHELLSBURG (38): Stueck 2 2-2 8, Stainbrook 2 2-2 7, Strong 1 0-0 3, Henderson 5 0-0 14, Randall 2 0-0 4, Westendorf 1 0-2 2, Ketchen 0 0-0 0, Lash 0 0-0 0, Barnes 0 0-0 0, Jorgensen 0 0-0 0, McKenna 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 4-6 38.

MARION (63) Scott 0 0-0 0, Knapp 3 1-6 8, Peyton 8 1-2 18, Jones 1 0-0 3, Mohr 5 3-7 13, Banes 0 0-0 0, Perkins 3 1-2 7, Deeney 1 3-5 5 , Korf 1 2-4 4,  Kramer 2 0-0 5, Cole 0 0-0 0, Redlinger 0 0-0 0.  Totals 24 11-28 63.

Halftime - Marion 34, Vinton-Shellsburg 16. 3-point goals - Vinton-Shellsburg 8 (Stueck 2, Stainbrook 1, Strong 1, Henderson 4), Marion 4 (Peyton 1, Knapp 1, Jones 1, Kramer 1) Fouled out - Henderson, Strong.