Rink Panther sends Alice Tear flying during action Saturday night in Bone City’s 189-156 win over East Lansing Mitten Mavens. (Photos by Mike Deak)

WARSAW – A fast start helped the Bone City Rollers defeat the visiting East Lansing Mitten Mavens, 189-156, Saturday night at the Bone Yard.

Bone City claimed a 25-0 lead right out of the gate, then answered a pair of Mavens charges with rallies of its own. The visitors from Michigan would use a quality set of jams from Alice Tear, pulling back to 49-40 only for Bone City to ride the slick skating of Wacka Blocka Pain to storm back to a comfortable 75-49 advantage.

Lansing came out of the half on fire, pulling within five points at 91-86 as Alice Tear continued her strong jamming with a 15-point binge. The size and physicality of the Mavens was showing.

But once again, Bone City was up to the task, holding the Mavens to just 11 points in the next nine rounds while building a 130-97 lead back up over that stretch.

The remainder of the bout was not in doubt.

“The biggest thing is trying to get low on taller girls,” said team captain AK Rolling Seven. East Lansing held a sizable advantage in both height among its jammers and overall protection from its blockers. “They really are a big team, and with them having a big group of skaters to pick from, you just have to be physical with them and show we weren’t going to back down.”

Rita Roundhouse would lead Bone City with 74 points from the jammer position while Wacka Blocka Pain would finish with 49 points. Roundhouse scored 38 of those points in the first half, scoring at least five points in all but one of those jams.

Alice Tear led the Mavens with 67 points and Booky Monster added 23 points, Monster held to just four in the second half.

Halftime entertainment was provided by students in the North Webster Lions Karate classes. Philanthropy efforts from the bout went to Isaiah 11, a counseling center and animal refuge.

Bone City, skating in its final home bout of the season, hadn’t competed since the middle of June. The team has three road bouts left, the next coming Sept. 17 at the Lafayette Brawlin’ Dolls.

“We have been a little rusty having taken off most of the summer,” AK Rolling Seven said. “Our first one back was a little rough. Communication was key coming into tonight.”