Marisa Wallas came through for Laurel in a Section 2-AA victory over Shenango.

Wallas, a junior, netted a game- and career-high 24 points for the Lady Spartans, including 11 in the fourth quarter. She added eight steals and five assists as well.

“Marisa couldn’t miss tonight,” Laurel coach Jessica Shevitz said. “She played a great game.”

The win vaults the Lady Spartans (3-4, 5-9) to within a game of the fourth and final playoff spot in the section. New Brighton holds fourth place in the section.

Shenango is 0-7, 2-13.

“This is a game that I thought we should have,” Shevitz said. “I’m proud of the team’s effort.

“We had the lead at halftime (25-17) and I was a little concerned. You have to learn to play with the lead and we put a team away that we should have; that was nice to see.”

Dalainey Meals and Aislinn Deinert contributed nine points apiece for the victors. Meals added five assists.

Jenna Petrucci tossed in 16 markers to go along with four rebounds for the Lady Wildcats. She netted 13 of her points in the second half. Amanda Herb snared a team-high 13 boards for Shenango.

Laurel outrebounded the Lady Wildcats, 35-29.

“We didn’t take care of the boards like we need to,” Shenango coach Brian Turk said. “We’re giving up too many second and third shots.