Look out Wamac, the Marion girls are on a roll.

After starting their season with a win and then losing nine straight, the Indians have won five of their last six. Tuesday night at home, they avenged an earlier four-point loss at Independence by lassoing the Mustangs, 44-31, in a West Division matchup.

Many of Marion's early losses were by six points or less, and first-year Coach Brian O'Donnell said the turnaround is easy to pinpoint. "We've finally found a way to finish games," he said.

Leading 28-20 after a somewhat sluggish first half, the Indians came out on fire in the third quarter. Forcing turnovers and grabbing a slew of offensive rebounds to set up second-chance shots, they held the Mustangs to only two points for the first seven minutes and stretched the lead to 37-22.

From there, they coasted.

"They just killed us on the boards," said second-year Independence Coach Rod Conrad. "They played harder and with much more intensity. On the boards, we watched the ball go up without blocking out."

Although Marion led in rebounding by only 30-27, 16 came on the offensive end. Allysa Jones had eight of her nine boards on offense. In addition to banging the boards, the Indians revved up their defense in the second half, causing 13 turnovers.

"Our guards really put the pressure on them," O'Donnell said. "And our post players played much more physical than the first time we played them."

Jones led a balanced attack for Marion (6-10 overall, 5-9 Wamac) with 11 points. Emily Barker topped the Mustangs (4-11, 4-10) with 12 points and five rebounds.

INDEPENDENCE (31): Natalie Reeder 1 0-0 3, Emily Barker 5 1-1 12, Chelsea McMurrin 2 2-2 6, Angie McCardle 0 0-0 0, Mickey Geertsma 0 0-0 0, Lizzie O’Loughlin 0 0-0 0, Taryn Tarpy 1 0-0 2, Chelsea Ratchford 2 0-0 4, Ashlyn Bogge 1 0-0 2, Steph McMillan 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Ratchford 1 0-0 2, Paige Davis 0 0-0 0. Totals – 13-32  3-3 31.
 
MARION (44): Kristin Kramer 3 1-1 8, Leah Smith 2 0-0 4,  Jessie Kramer 0 0-0 0, Dani Peyton 4 0-2 10, Allysa Jones 5 1-5 11, Micaela Combs 2 3-3 8, Beth Knapp 0 0-0 0, Paige Perkins 1 0-0 2, Allison Scott 0 1-2 1. Totals – 17-49  6-13 44.
 
Halftime – Marion 28, Independence 20. 3-point goals – Independence 2-14 (Reeder, Barker), Marion 4-15  (Peyton 2, Kristin Kramer, Combs). Total fouls – Independence 15, Marion 12. Rebounds – Independence 27, Marion 30. Turnovers –  Independence 19, Marion 12.