It was the second quarter before Lowndes Academy scored and even then the visiting Lady Rebels had become more of an afterthought as Marengo Academy (5-7, 2-4) played the role of an ungracious host during Monday’s 48-15 win.

“We knew we had to shut down No. 5,” MA head coach Danny Stenz said of Lady Rebels leading scorer Mallory Curdy, who posted 10 points Monday night. “She had about 20 points last time they beat us.”

With a starting five that featured two sophomores, a freshman and a pair of eighth-graders, Marengo posted a 15-0 lead by the end of the first quarter and extended it to 35-4 by halftime.

“They’re kind of young like us,” Stenz said of the effect the Longhorns’ pressure defense had on the inexperienced LA guards. “Overall effort, like I said, we’re really young. (We) got after them. I told (our team) just to be aggressive and we’d be alright. All it takes is effort on defense.”

Stenz shifted the game into cruise control in the second half, inserting reserve players and watching the back-ups outscore Lowndes 13-11 over the game’s final two quarters.

The win gives the Lady Longhorns their fifth win of the season; one more than they had all of last year.

“I’m really please,” Stenz said. “We won four games all of last year. Didn’t even win a region game last year and we’ve won two this year. I can’t ask for any more than that effort.”

Sophomore Maleah Digmon led the Lady Longhorn effort with 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots. Brooke Smyly added 10 points, six rebounds three assists and three blocks. Chandler Stenz finished with 10 points, two assists and two steals. Katie Tucker contributed a balanced line with eight points, five assists, three rebounds and a steal. Conner Etheridge added six points and an assist in the game.