Marysville senior forward Anthony Walker (24) shoots a three-point shot attempt in the Indians’ 58-31 defeat at Twelve Bridges in Lincoln on Friday, February 2.

LINCOLN, CA (MPG) - The Marysville Indians boys basketball team has to win-out if they hope to defend their CIF Division IV Section title from last season after they lost to the Twelve Bridges Raging Rhinos 58-31 on Friday, February 2.

Marysville came into the game locked in, but the talent level of the senior-heavy Twelve Bridges persevered. The loss dropped the Indians into a 4th-place tie with Bear River as they were beaten by Sutter last Friday. 

Marysville senior forward Elias Delozier (10) attempts a layup in the Inidans’ 58-31 defeat to Twelve Bridges on Friday, February 2, in Lincoln.

Defensively, Marysville did a great job as they didn’t allow a high-powered offense like Twelve Bridges to score more than 20 points in a quarter, and Rhinos senior forward Jacob Gilchrist scored eight in the win, as senior forward Elias Delozier locked Gilchrist down throughout the night.

Indians senior forward Anthony Walker led Marysville with 10 points. The offense for the Indians couldn’t get consistent with making shots in the basket even with good looks from the field, but defensively the Rhinos had a great defensive night.

Twelve Bridges senior forward Kellen Phulps (11) blocks Marysville sophomore guard Jaylen Brown’s (1) shot attempt in the Raging Rhinos' 58-31 victory over the Indians on Friday, February 2, in Lincoln.

Indians junior guard Dennis Syders, leading scorer on the Marysville roster, was held to one point as he hit a free throw in the third quarter for his offensive contribution in the game. As he was able to drive into the paint during the game, he fell victim to some of his shots being blocked by Twelve Bridges.

Indians assistant Danny Lewis expressed to the Dispatch that the boys have committed to playing defense.

Lewis added that Marysville does have a height advantage over some teams, but overall they are an athletic team that can use their length on the defensive end as well.

Lewis told the Dispatch shots didn’t fall against Twelve Bridges, but defensively they held a good offensive team to lower than their season average of points.

The Indians are aware of the importance of winning-out this week, and if they took care of Wheatland and Lindhurst earlier this week, the game against Bear River will determine if they get into the playoffs or not, as they were projected in the last MaxPreps rankings on January 31 as the only potential at-large team in the Division IV field due to the top three spots in the Pioneer Valley League being automatic playoff berths.

Marysville senior guard Bradford Pietz (2) lays the ball up in the second half of the Indians’ 58-31 loss at Twelve Bridges on Friday, February 2, in Lincoln.

With four teams fighting for two guaranteed spots in the playoffs, all the competing teams — Sutter, Colfax, Marysville and Bear River —  are going to be watching one anothers’ games for instant updates.

If there is one team that the Indians could potentially catch for an auto bid into the playoffs, it would be Colfax. Colfax’s remaining schedule this week included a road game at Bear River, hosted Sutter and hosts Twelve Bridges.

The CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs begin next week as brackets will be announced on Saturday, February 10.