Marion used a 14-0 run in the first quarter to take a commanding 20-7 lead and Waterloo Columbus never really challenged the remainder of the night in a Wamac Conference girls basketball game Tuesday.

Marion used balanced scoring and a solid second-half press to dunk Columbus, 75-58, at Marion.The Class 3A No. 11 Indians snapped a three-game losing skid.

“We have been trying to find some consistency in our defensive game,” said Marion Coach Brian O’Donnell. “Our second-half press helped us get closer to the consistency that we are looking for.”

Dani Peyton led the Indians (8-3, 8-1) with 18 points and three of her teammates were in double figures as well. Michalyn Mohr came off the bench and had 16 points and Amanda Sahm scored 12 as a reserve. Beth Knapp tallied 11.

“When we get everybody involved, it really helps,” said Peyton. “The press made our defense scrappy and gave us better team defense which also helps our offense. It’s all mental. We just need to put it all together to play a whole game.”

All 16 of Mohr's points were a result of hard work in the paint. “Mike did a great job of going and getting the loose ball tonight and played a good low post as well,” said O’Donnell.

“Working the post is all footwork and we prepare for that every day in practice,” said Mohr. “I really can’t do anything without my teammates getting me the ball.”

It was a physical game. The teams combined to commit 51 fouls, resulting in a whopping 63 free throws.

Kate Letkewicz led all scorers with 28 points for Columbus (1-10, 1-9) and Lindsay McManus added 17.

“Letkewicz and McManus did a nice job for them tonight,” said O’Donnell. “Their scoring really kept the game from getting out of hand.”

WATERLOO COLUMBUS (58): McLaughlin 1 0-2 2, McManus 3 9-13 17, Strien 2 0-0 5, Letkewicz 8 8-11 28, Peterson 0 0-0 0, Farley 2 0-2 4, Harn 0 0-0 0, Greenwood 0 0-0 0, O’Neill 1 0-0 2, Swacker 0 0-0 0, Sullivan 0 0-1 0. Totals 17 17-29 58.

MARION (75): Scott 1 3-4 5, Kramer 3 1-2 7, Knapp 4 3-10, Peyton 4 7-8 18, Jones 1 0-0 2, Mohr 7 2-5 16, Sahm 5 1-3 12, Cole 1 0-0 2, Banes 0 2-4 2, Deeney 0 0-0 0, Korf 0 0-0 0, Redlinger 0 0-0 0. Totals 26 19-36 75.

Halftime — Marion 39, Waterloo Columbus 31. 3-point goals — Columbus 3 (Strien 1, Letkewicz 2), Marion 2 (Peyton 1, Sahm 1). Fouled out. None.