By Hub City Times staff

MARSHFIELD – In their annual non-conference boys basketball matchup on Feb. 6, the Marathon Red Raiders beat Marshfield Columbus 90-68. The victory extended the Raiders’ winning streak over Columbus to three games, and ended a three-game losing streak for Marathon and Head Coach Adam Jacobson.

“We’ve been close, and to finally get over the hump and see the efforts of these guys pay off with a win is exciting,” Jacobson said after the game.

Marathon has lost nine games this season by an average of nine points per game – five of those by single digits. The Red Raiders had four players score in double figures, led by 27 from Matt Vande Boom. Brock Warren added 20 points, and Jaden Koeller scored 18. Mike Hahn added 10, in a game the Red Raiders played without the injured Clarke Mouw.

“I think we had 31 assists, so making that extra pass, and that’s when we’re at our best,” Jacobson added. “I thought that led to some really good looks, made some from ‘three’, and got some inside with Brock and Mike. Columbus puts a lot of pressure on you with their ability to shoot the basketball; a high-possession game. This style of basketball you don’t always see in the Marawood (Conference), so to get that up-and-down is good, it’s good to get it on film and how we can handle the dribble better.”

Columbus was led in scoring by Tom Nystrom’s 21 points. Eden Jacobson added 14 points coming off the bench. Jadon Nienast scored 12 points, which is his per-game average this season. Cole Noreen added nine points off of a trio of three-pointers. The Dons scored 68 points, their per-game average for the season.

On the flip side, it was the first time this season Columbus surrendered 90 points, and to a team averaging just 61 points per contest–which is also the same number of points the Dons surrender per game.

The Red Raiders evened their series with Marshfield Columbus at 5-5 dating back to 2000, and improved their record to 6-9. Columbus fell to 7-9 – the first time they have lost nine games in a season in five years (2014-15). The Dons had a combined nine losses over the past three seasons (2016-19).

Columbus plays at Gilman Feb. 13, followed by a home game with Greenwood Feb. 18. The Dons visit Loyal Feb. 21, then host Neillsville on Feb. 24.

Marathon is at Phillips on Feb. 14, followed by a trip to Stevens Point Pacelli on Feb. 18. The Raiders play at Wisconsin Rapids Assumption on Feb. 21.