Magnolia hosted the Maroon Knights on Wednesday night in girls basketball action and took the fifth ranked team to the wire in a close fought 45-42 loss to the visitors.

The Blue Eagles looked like they would run away with an easy win as they jumped in front big in the first half, thanks to a cold shooting second quarter from Wheeling where they managed only two points, giving the home team a 23-10 lead at the halftime break.

Wheeling Central came alive in the third quarter to outscore the home team by 12, 19-7 to get back in the game and trail by one heading into the fourth frame. The visitors managed to outscore the Blue by four in the final frame to get the win.

Leading the way for Central was Lily Vogrin with 15 points, followed by Brooke Edge with 13, and Valerie Downing with 11. Magnolia was led by senior guard Jenna Blain with 11 and Shaela Holliday with 10. Lauren Gaiser and Lexi Williams, with three 3-pointers each added nine. Sienna McKeever hit a basket for two and Makia Litton added a free throw.

Central hit 13 field goals, including five 3’s and went 15-23 from the free throw line. Magnolia hit 16 field goals including three 3’s and went 7-10 from the free throw line.