MARION — Meadowview Christian started sluggishly Saturday but thanks to a bold coaching move and some solid defensive pressure, the Trojans took down Marengo Academy 58-48 in the consolation game of the AISA Class AA Region 2 Tournament.

The Trojans came out the No. 3 seed in Class AA going into the state tournament.

Meadowview fell behind early in the first quarter from lackluster play. Coach Robby Redd took out all starters and put in relief.

“They weren’t getting after the ball,” said Redd. “So I took them out.”

The Trojans were down by six points when Redd took his players out of the game, the replacements held their own and the first quarter ended with Meadowview trailing 14-10.

The starting five returned at the beginning of a second quarter and immediately began to put the Longhorns under pressure.

Meadowview created nine turnovers in the second quarter, three off steals by Justin Mills, and went into the half leading 29-22.

“They came out there in the second quarter and they worked hard,” Redd said.

The third quarter went by with the two teams trading baskets and the score at the end of three was Meadowview 40 and Marengo 31.

In the fourth Marengo began to mount a comeback behind the play of Matt Wallace who racked up 7 fourth quarter points.

The Longhorns cut the lead to three with only 5 minutes left to play, but Meadowview was able to hold on and pull away from the free throw line.

“Marengo had a good team,” said Redd. “They fought hard all the way to the end.”

Judson Mott led Meadowview in scoring with 13 points.

Adam Brown and Daniel Blackmon both had 12.

Chase Smyly was Marengo’s leading scorer with 13 points.

“That was a good win and no one got hurt, so it’s a good day,” said Redd.

Meadowview will travel to Huntingdon College in Montgomery Alabama for the AISA state playoffs next week.