MIFFLIN — In three quick games Iowa–Grant freshman Hailey Roth is making a name for herself.
     The 5-foot-9 forward, who was promoted to varsity over Christmas Break, scored a game-high 15 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds in just her third varsity game to lead Iowa–Grant to a 36–33 non-conference victory over Highland on Thursday.
     It was the Panthers’ (2–7) second straight win after an 0–7 start.
     Roth scored seven points in I–G’s 44–41 consolation game victory over North Crawford at the Benton/Shullsburg Holiday Tournament on Dec. 29.
     “Not bad for a freshman in her third varsity game,” said I–G head coach Jason Schulting.  “We moved her up over the holiday break because we had kids missing because of illness and holiday gatherings. She’s showing she belongs. She’s extremely aggressive in the post and gives us a little more size.”
     In a tight, back and forth game, the Panthers trailed Highland (0–7) by one with just under three minutes to play. 
     Fellow freshman Haley Yelinek, who finished with 11 points, found Roth under the basket on an out of bounds play to put I–G up one.
     Those freshman duo connected again on the same play on the next possession to put the Panthers ahead 34–31.
     After a Highland basket cut it to one, sophomore Taylor Jackson made a pair of free throws with 33 seconds left to finish the scoring.
     Highland didn’t get another shot off after that.
Besides her two late assists to Roth, Yelinek’s sharp shooting was also key in I–G’s second-half surge. She knocked down three threes all in the second half. 
     “It seemed like each one came when we really needed it,” said Schulting. “She doesn’t have a conscience when it comes to shooting which is good. Usually freshman are afraid to shoot. She’s not. She adds a dimension we haven’t had in awhile.”
     Jackson finished with eight points and four assists, while senior Grace Enloe chipped in one point, five rebounds and four steals.
     Iowa–Grant will face Fennimore Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in the SWAL Jamboree at UW–Platteville.  

Iowa–Grant 36, Highland 33
(from Thursday, Jan. 3 @ Iowa–Grant)
Highland        7      3    12    11     —  33
Iowa–Grant    5    11      8    12     —  36
Highland (0–7) — Drury 3, Wienkes 2, Bomkamp 16, Stanek 2, Rose 2, Yager 2, Laufenberg 6. Totals — 14 5-14 33.
Iowa–Grant (2–7) — Lizzie Wernimont 1, Grace Enloe 1, Roth 15, Haley Yelinek 11,Taylor Jackson 8. Totals — 12 9-15 36.
3-point goals — H: 0; IG: 3 (Yelinek 3). Team fouls — H: 18, IG: 12. Fouled out — Yager.