The Margaretta Lady Bears delivered one of their most complete performances of the season Sunday night, defeating defending Division VI state champion Columbus Grove 49–39 in the final game of the Tourney Tune-Up at The Iceberg. From the opening tip, Margaretta set a different tone than last year’s regional semifinal loss. The Lady Bears jumped out to a 7–0 lead, immediately challenging Columbus Grove’s pressure defense and physicality. While the Bulldogs briefly fought back, Margaretta trailed for only two minutes during the entire contest, maintaining control with poise and discipline. Ball security proved to be a major difference. After struggling with turnovers in last season’s matchup, Margaretta committed just seven turnovers against the Bulldogs’ pressure. That composure allowed the Lady Bears to dictate tempo and consistently get into their offensive sets. The game remained tight through the first three quarters, with Margaretta holding a slim 31–27 lead late in the third. That’s when Ellyse Schaefer delivered the game’s defining stretch. After missing several shots earlier, Schaefer caught fire, drilling three 3-pointers in a span of roughly two-and-a-half minutes bridging the third and fourth quarters. The flurry pushed Margaretta’s lead to double digits and swung momentum decisively in the Bears’ favor. Inside, Cassidy Lane anchored the paint on both ends of the floor. The senior center finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds while battling Columbus Grove’s Nicole Nesby, who had dominated the Bears in last year’s postseason meeting. Lane’s physical play limited Nesby’s opportunities early, as the Bulldogs’ post scorer managed just five shot attempts through the first three quarters before scoring eight points in the fourth. Kenadie Saylor played a pivotal role defensively and offensively. Midway through the third quarter, she intercepted a pass under the Bulldogs’ basket and raced the length of the floor for a double-pump layup, giving Margaretta a 27–19 lead at the time. The play capped a 10–0 run that erased Columbus Grove’s final advantage and energized the home crowd. Margaretta’s rebounding effort was another key factor. The Lady Bears held a 31–27 edge on the boards, with Lillian Belak providing critical effort plays that don’t always show up in the scoring column. One of the game’s most important moments came midway through the fourth quarter when Belak secured an offensive rebound after Margaretta had already burned 45 seconds off the clock. The Bears reset, spread the floor, and continued to drain time before extending the lead to 42–30. Down the stretch, Margaretta closed the game with composure. The Lady Bears were 7-of-10 from the free-throw line in the final two minutes, preventing any late comeback attempt and sealing the win. The victory marked Margaretta’s ninth straight win and improved the Lady Bears to 17–1 on the season. It also served as a statement performance against one of the state’s top Division VI programs, reinforcing Margaretta’s ability to compete in high-pressure environments as postseason play approaches. The Lady Bears host Genoa on Tuesday for Senior Autograph night and Youth FUNdamentals night before heading to Willard for a massive SBC Bay Division Game. A victory over the Flashes will earn the SBC Title outright for Margaretta. Highlights: Click Here BCSN Highlights: Click Here OH Report Interview: Click Here BCSN Interview: Click Here MARGARETTA (17-1) Lillian Belak 1 2-5 4, Ellaynah Schaefer 1 3-4 6, Cassidy Lane 5 2-3 10, Ellyse Schaefer 4 3-4 14, Kenadie Saylor 4 3-6 11, Renna Keller 0 2-2 2. TOTALS 15 15-254 49 Quarter-by-Quarter Score (unchanged) Columbus Grove 8 11 8 12 — 39 Margaretta 11 11 9 18 — 49