Tigers regroup, run over Emmetsburg

(Photo by Micheal Fischer) Spencer's Megan Anderson (right) and Tiffany Martindale stretch to snag a rebound over the outstretched hands of Emmetsburg's Paige Naig Friday, Dec. 18, 2009, at the Spencer Fieldhouse.

What a difference three days made.

In a stark contrast to Tuesday's loss to Estherville-Lincoln Central, the Spencer girls quickly found their rhythm and returned to form Friday at the Fieldhouse, turning an early double-digit lead into a 59-25 blowout over Emmetsburg.

"I was really pleased with how we looked. We had a chance to go back and get things done in practice. We got some things straightened out," said Spencer coach Don Martindale. "It just comes down to playing Spencer Tiger basketball."

"I told the kids we're going to compete, we're going to execute the game plan and then we're going to try to perform as best we can."

Eight different players scored at least four points and five had six or more for the Tigers, who shot better than 41 percent from the field.

"I'm really proud of the kids. Tuesday was a tough loss, but they did a nice job of bouncing back," Martindale added. "They followed our game plan just how we drew it up. That's the sign of a team maturing."

Spencer (5-2, 3-1) opened the contest on a 7-1 run and Ally Mahrt knocked down a 3-pointer with 19 seconds left in the first quarter to give the Tigers a 13-3 lead.

Averaging 16.5 points, Mahrt went on to score a game-high 20 for Spencer, pouring in five in the second quarter and six more in the third after a seven-point opening frame. She added five rebounds and five steals.

"We did a real good job of taking care of the ball -- we got the ball where we wanted to get it," Martindale said. "We didn't force things and we moved the ball around tremendously."

The Tigers' full-court pressure defense and inspired play paid dividends at both ends of the floor.

Spencer came up with 21 steals -- their second-best total of the season -- and locked Emmetsburg into a 7-minute scoring drought from the end of the first quarter into the second.

The E-Hawks were limited to 6 of 27 shooting and Spencer had 13 turnovers after averaging nearly 20 through the first six games.

"It starts with our guards. They weren't putting enough pressure on the ball, but they did a very good job for the full 32 minutes tonight," Martindale commented.

Megan Anderson scored six points and sparked a 14-2 run in the first five minutes of the second quarter, extending the Tigers' lead to 27-5. Mahrt added one more 3 before the half and Spencer led 30-10.

Spencer held Emmetsburg to single digits again in the third, and Clare Goeken and freshman Taylor Anderson joined the scoring act with four points apiece in the quarter. The Tigers led 46-15 entering the fourth.

Spencer pulled down 38 rebounds -- 22 offensive -- and went 10 of 13 from the foul line. The E-Hawks had 37 turnovers.

"We'll see Tuesday night -- that's going to be a big barometer," Martindale said of the Tigers' impending matchup with rival Spirit Lake. "This game reminded me of how we played down at Rock Valley. We played very well, but then turned around and didn't play so well."

"Spirit Lake is going to be a challenge, but I feel a lot better about our team because of our effort. We just need to be consistent."

Taylor Anderson went 3 of 3 from the field, scoring eight points and grabbing five rebounds. Classmate Tiffany Martindale had four points, four rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots. Sophomore Ashley Williamson added seven points -- six in the first quarter -- four rebounds and three steals.