Warsaw’s Vicki Harris keeps control of the ball after bouncing off a Goshen defender Saturday night. Harris had 10 points in the 44-37 NLC win for the Tigers.

WARSAW – The Warsaw girls basketball team found itself in a close tussle with Goshen early in the second half Saturday night.

The Tigers needed a spark to get going in the key Northern Lakes Conference contest.

A sweet shooting performance from distance turned out to be just what the doctor orders for coach Michelle Harter’s squad.

Warsaw drained straight treys in a pivotal 17-1 third-quarter run that put them in control en route to a 44-37 win.

Dayton Groninger makes her way to the hoop for Warsaw Saturday night. The sophomore scored 17 points to lead her team to a big NLC win over Goshen 44-37.

Smooth shooting sophomore Dayton Groninger, who led Warsaw with a game-high 17 points, hit three straight from long range. Sophomore Madi Graham then hit back-to-back triples for the Tigers.

Warsaw used the shooting display from deep to turn a 22-20 deficit into a 37-23 lead at the end of the third quarter.

“We moved the ball well from side to side, got good screens and quick reversals,” said coach Harter about the outside shooting barrage. “Our shooters had their feet set and were ready to shoot when they got the ball in that stretch.

“Our girls have done an excellent job with their shot selection. We attack and kick it out and do a nice job shooting threes. Our shooters also look to attack the basket when their shot is not falling.”

Warsaw needed the win to stay in the hunt for the NLC title. The Tigers are now 11-7 overall and 4-1 in the NLC. NorthWood edged past Northridge 44-43 Saturday night in Nappanee and leads the league standings at 4-0. The Tigers still have NLC road games at Concord (Jan. 24) and at NorthWood (Jan. 31).

Warsaw girls basketball coach Michelle Harter was honored for her 100th career coaching win Saturday night. WCHS Athletic Director Dave Anson presented Harter with a plaque recognizing her achievement.

“One of our goals was to win the NLC,” said Harter. “We lost our NLC opener at home to Plymouth and the girls have really responded since then. We knew that we could not lose two in the conference. We know that we still have two tough places to go play in NLC games. A big key for us the next few games will be taking care of the basketball.”

The Tigers also amped up the defensive intensity to thwart the Redskins, who drop to 8-8 overall and 2-2 in the NLC. The pressure defense of Warsaw ignited its offense.

“Definitely our defensive intensity tonight helped us build the lead,” Harter remarked. “That’s something we’ve done all year. When we our intense on defense it carries over to our offense and gives us confidence there.”

The Redskins did not go quietly. Warsaw led 39-23 early in the fourth quarter before Goshen turned up the pressure with its press. Goshen capitalized on several key Tiger turnovers to ignite a 14-3 run to pull within 42-37 on a triple by Tahya Bruce with 1:08 to play.

Warsaw capped off an impressive run of three NLC wins in the last eight days, including overtime victories at Northridge and at Elkhart Memorial.

Senior Vicki Harris had a strong game with 10 points for the Tigers. Graham had six points and senior Erin Clemens five and six rebounds. Senior Pam Miller scored three, senior Jodie Carlson two and sophomore Mariah Rivera one.

Groninger, who also led her team with seven rebounds, was 5-8 overall from the field including 4-4 from distance.

Oliva Love led Goshen with 13 points and seven rebounds. The 5-11 junior dominated early with eight first-quarter points. Sophomore Aylissa Trosper had 11 points.

Goshen led 9-2 early on and 14-10 after the opening period. Warsaw used a 10-2 run, keyed by six points from Harris, to take a 20-19 halftime lead.

Warsaw recognized coach Harter prior to the game for her 100th career coaching win which came Wednesday night at Elkhart Memorial. Harter is now 101-48 in her seventh season. Goshen coach Lenny Krebs was also saluted for notching his 100th win earlier this season too.

Warsaw won the junior varsity game 33-19. Kenzie Welk led the Tigers with 1 points.

Warsaw plays at Penn (14-4) Wednesday. Goshen plays at Mishawaka Tuesday.

The trio of Vicki Harris, Dayton Groninger and Madi Graham take a break for Warsaw Saturday night. The three combined for 33 points in a 44-37 win over Goshen.