Even though they have only played two games, one thing has become a common denominator for the Marion girls' basketball team.
One bad quarter seems to be a hole the Wildcats struggle to get out of, evident as MHS was outscored 16-2 in the second quarter Saturday in a 48-34 loss at Vienna.
Marion jumped out to a 10-6 first quarter lead, but only got a Gracie Connor jumper on the baseline in the second quarter for the team's only points in trailing 22-12 at halftime.
Marion (0-2) mounted a rally in the second half, outscoring Vienna 14-13 in the final eight minutes.
The Wildcats put two players in double figures as Jerzy Bittle led Marion with 13 points, while Gracie Connor tacked on 12 points.
Addison Bent led all scorers with 18 points as Vienna also put Lmee Treat in double figures, finishing with 11.
Marion got three points from Payton Stroble, while Morgan Isaacs, Olivia Thomas and Maegan Dillon all had two points.
Natalie Webb netted nine points for the Eagles, while Emma Rush added eight and Shaylee Moore tossed in two points.
Marion is scheduled to play host to Massac County on Tuesday and will play at Mt. Vernon on Thursday. The Wildcats close out the week with a game at Centralia, scheduled for a 12:30 p.m. start.
Marion sophomore Kristen Kadela puts up this shot past the defense of Vienna's Addison Bent (24) and Shaylee Moore (25) Saturday in a road non-conference game at Vienna High School.