Willamette's Ashley Smith puts the defensive pressure on Mel Stout of Marshfield in the championship game of the Les Schwab South Coast Holiday Basketball Tournament in Coos Bay on Wednesday afternoon. World Photo by Lou Sennick.

Willamette found its offense first and rolled past Marshfield 44-24 in the girls championship game at the Les Schwab South Coast Holiday Basketball  Tournament on Wednesday.

Moriah Roberge hit a 3-pointer on the opening possession of the game, but Marshfield had just four more points in the entire first half as the Wolverines took a 19-7 lead into the break.

The Pirates scored on their first four possessions of the second half — a jumper from the top of the key by Natalie Caffey, 3-pointers by Roberge and Brianna George, and a nifty layin by Bre Jansen.

But Willamette more than answered the challenge by the Pirates, getting a 3-point play and three inside hoops by tournament most valuable player Sunny Greinacher and extending the lead to 35-19 going into the final quarter on a 3-pointer by Jessica Harper.

“Our teamwork was really well put together,” said Willamette’s Ashley Smith, who had 10 points in the win. “Our offense flowed really nice.”

Willamette had 13 assists on 19 baskets.

The Wolverines got no points from sharpshooter Aly Bruns, another first-team pick, but didn’t need them after the stifling first half, when Marshfield had nine turnovers and shot just 2-for-12 from the floor.

“In the first two quarters, we came out strong,” Smith said. “Our main priority was defense.”

Having the 6-foot, 4-inch Greinacher inside didn’t hurt. She finished with 17 points, several coming off her five offensive rebounds.

Marshfield coach Debbie Dunbar said the rebounds were a difference in the game.

“I thought we did a pretty good job on her,” Dunbar said, referring to Marshfield’s defense, particularly by Mel Stout.

“I thought Mel Stout did a tremendous job defensively and on the boards,” Dunbar said, referring both to Wednesday’s game and Marshfield’s wins over Crook County and Marist earlier in the tournament.

Marshfield wasn’t able to bother Willamette with pressure defense, which Dunbar said was partly due to the overtime win over Marist.

“I think we were tired from last night,” she said. “We couldn’t press very well.”

Willamette also was mostly mistake free with the ball, forcing 16 turnovers while giving up nine.

Roberge led the Pirates with eight points, while George added six on two 3-pointers.

She was named to the all-tournament first team, while Roberge and Stout were on the second team.

While the Pirates came up short of the title in the sixth-annual tournament, Dunbar said her team made big strides, which will help with the Midwestern League opener at home Saturday against Thurston.

And she’s already looking forward to next Friday’s game at Willamette.

“I’m ready for a rematch,” Dunbar said.