Moriah Roberge and Brianna George have been terrorizing opposing teams with their outside shooting and quickness throughout their Marshfield careers.

The two sharpshooters, now seniors, showed this year likely will be no different, combining for 45 points as the Pirates opened the season with a 59-53 win over visiting North Bend on Monday.

George had six 3-pointers and 20 of her game-high 24 points in the first half and Roberge scored 15 of her 21 points after halftime as the Pirates held off the Bulldogs.

“Brianna is a good shooter and Moriah is so athletic,” said North Bend coach Mike Forrester.

But he walked away from the game ecstatic about his team’s performance, especially after Marshfield jumped out to a double-digit lead in the opening quarter.

“For a first game, I was thrilled to death,” Forrester said. “Offensively, we did some great things.”

Brooke Davison made her first six shots and finished with 22 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Bulldogs. Alexandra “Super” Mateski added 13 points, 10 rebounds and five steals.

North Bend stuck with Marshfield through the opening minutes, and took an 11-9 lead on a three-point play by Mateski, but the Pirates finished the quarter on a tear.

George hit a free throw and then a 3-pointer and Roberge had a three-point play on a fast break. George added two more treys, and was fouled on the second for a rare four-point play that gave Marshfield a 23-12 lead heading into the second quarter.

North Bend battled back in the second quarter, scoring 11 straight points to tie the game at 25 on a fast break by Davison. George had two more 3-pointers, but Davison countered with one of her own and Nicki Todd had a rebound basket just before the buzzer to give the Bulldogs a 34-32 lead at halftime.

The Pirates took 21 3-pointers among 29 shots in the opening half, and George went 6-for-10 from long range.

“I was just feeling it,” she said, adding that the entire team was moving the ball well on offense.

“We got a lot of open shots,” she said. “Nothing was forced.”

Marshfield changed its strategy some after halftime, trying to get the ball inside, and the team was rewarded with more opportunities from the foul line and more offensive rebounds.

“The difference was rebounding in the second half,” Marshfield coach Debbie Dunbar said.

The Pirates grabbed five offensive boards in the opening three minutes of the third quarter, and quickly moved back in front.

North Bend battled back to tie the score at 40 before the Pirates finished the quarter on a 12-2 run. Roberge had 10 of those points, including two 3-pointers — one coming when she rebounded her own miss and threw up the ball just before the buzzer.

Roberge said Marshfield’s offensive philosophy in the second half was important.

“We know we can hit our 3s,” she said. “We need to have our inside and our outside game.”

North Bend tried to fight back in the final quarter, but Marshfield fought off the challenge by making free throws late.

Dunbar was relieved to see that, after the Pirates lost several close games in the final quarter last year.

“We didn’t cave,” she said. “Tonight, we didn’t have the turnovers.”

Marshfield’s defensive pressure led to 18 turnovers by the Bulldogs, including four steals by Roberge. Marshfield had 12 turnovers, just five after halftime.

“It’s a win,” Dunbar said. “I’m excited for our first game. We got a W against our cross-town rivals.”

She also pointed out that the limited practice — a week shorter than previous years under a new state rule, meant that neither team had a huge amount of time to prepare.

“It was a little rough, but we finally came through,” said Roberge. “I definitely think that we have a lot more potential.”

The Pirates are expecting a good season with a veteran club. The team dressed eight seniors, a junior and a freshman for the opener.

Seniors Natalie Caffey and Mel Stout had five points each and Stout grabbed 11 boards.

“Marshfield’s a lot bigger than us and very athletic,” Forrester said.

But he was proud of how his team limited Marshfield’s offense inside.

The Bulldogs also shot the ball well — 20-for-38 for the game.

“I think we’re looking pretty good for the beginning of the season,” Davison said. “We played really well.”

Emily Foster had seven points for the Bulldogs.

Marshfield participates in a jamboree at Grants Pass on Wednesday and travels to Marist on Friday. North Bend is at Junction City on Friday.

Powers girls win

Powers overwhelmed Bandon’s junior varsity team Monday night, beating the Tigers 57-24.

Nicole Bittner had 18 points, Jaden Morgan added 11 and Haley Patterson scored 10 for the Cruisers.

Brittney Smith had 12 points to lead the Tigers.

Bandon edges Cruisers

Bandon’s junior varsity boys team outscored host Powers 10-3 in the final quarter for a 40-33 win Monday.

Josh Freitag had 13 points to lead the Tigers, while Powers got 12 points from Kiefer Allen and 11 from Cameron Perreault.