Girls Basketball: Marian press flattens Streamwood

• Reprints

Updated: February 18, 2012 8:10AM

It can be pretty aggravating to work hard and get no fruits from your labor.

That’s sort of how Marian Catholic’s players felt after a two-point loss Saturday on a pair of late free throws by Missouri powerhouse St. Joseph’s Academy.

“It was frustrating because we were holding them (at bay) the whole time they had the ball at the end,” Marian Catholic’s Alanna Ferry said. “Then they called a touch foul. It was really frustrating.”

Monday, the No. 6 Spartans took it out on Streamwood, using a suffocating full-court press to run away with an 81-27 victory at the 22nd annual McDonald’s Shootout at Willowbrook.

Megan Walsh (13 points, 6 rebounds), Dajhae Mullins (12 points) and Ashton Millender (11 points) led the scoring parade while Teniya Page, Walsh and Amber Williams all had four steals and Ferry five assists for Marian Catholic (13-8).

Streamwood (8-10) was led by Deja Moore with nine points.

Marian Catholic raced to an 11-0 lead in just over two minutes. It was 36-7 at halftime.

It was the defense, however, that stood out all day for the Spartans, who forced 37 turnovers with man-to-man, full-court pressure.

“We’re just talking more about 94 feet,” Marian Catholic coach Annie Byrne said. “I think that we’re much better full-court than we are halfcourt, so we’re just trying to help the kids to bring out their strengths.

“I think they’ve really bought into it. We’re so athletic and we’re so deep. We play a more up-tempo game, and the kids are doing a great job with it.”

It was a definite up in what for Marian has been an up and down season.

“We’re a young team,” Ferry said. “We’ve just got to get a feel for each other and our chemistry. We’re working a lot better together. Definitely, we’re taking it up from here. During the postseason we’re just going to take off.”