DIXON’S MILLS — Top-seeded Marengo (15-2) turned to its press to overcome a game Sweet Water squad 58-30 in the first round of the Class 1A, Area 4 tournament Thursday night.

The Lady Panthers trailed Sweet Water 25-23 with 2:42 to play in the third quarter before taking a timeout and returning to the floor with a different approach.

Having avoided its trademark press defense for most of the night, Marengo turned to its bread and butter to get itself out of a hole and put Sweet Water away.

The press led to a 13-0 Marengo run over a span of 34 seconds to put the Lady Panthers up 36-25.

Marengo ended the third quarter on a 19-2 run that left it up 42-27 after three quarters.

Madison Beck connected on a bucket for Sweet Water with 4:54 to play in the game, the only field goal the Lady Bulldogs made in the fourth quarter.

Marengo opened the night with a 15-0 first quarter before getting outscored 13-4 in the second frame.

Marengo finished the night on a 35-5 run to lock up its spot in the area tournament final Saturday and at least a berth in next week’s sub-regional round.

Shakayla Bouler led the way for Marengo with 19 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Tallamachiia Dumas had 17 points, 13 rebounds, eight blocks, six steals and three assists.

Alesia Bowser finished with eight points, four rebounds and a steal. Kiana Lewis had eight points, six steals, three rebounds and two assists. Keishelle Clarke had six points, 10 rebounds and two steals.

Andrew Landrum led Sweet Water with 14 points. Beck finished with 10.

Marengo is set to play No. 3 seed A.L. Johnson Saturday at 6 p.m. in the tournament final.