While conditions outside were frigid Tuesday night, the Langford Area Lions found the outside to be to their liking inside the Christian School Gym.

The Lions made nine 3-pointers to help subdue Aberdeen Christian 49-28 in Lake Region Conference girls’ basketball action.

Paytyn Marlow connected for five three-point shots, while Alex Darling made four treys.

“We’ve had those games where we can knock shots down,” said Langford Area coach Michael Alberts. “Sometimes it’s kind of hit or miss, but our two main players can knock down shots consistently, when they’re open, and they’re in rhythm, and they get their feet set.”

The Knights were prepared for one potent shooter, but not two.

“We knew the one could shoot. The other one, we watched four of their games, was not hitting that shot,” said Christian coach Andre Cobbs. “Good for her. I’m glad she came out of her shell tonight. Sad that it had to be against us. …. Those two shot really well.”

The Lions led just 23-12 at the half before Marlow went off in the third quarter, nailing three 3-pointers on the way to 13 points in the period.

“I just got a burst of energy after halftime,” Marlow said.

The junior had a message for her teammates at the break.

“I basically told the team, that we have to do it as a team and everybody has to get shots up,” Marlow said.

Darling added a pair of three-point shots in the third quarter as the Lions opened a 20-point lead.

“I think it’s hard. We switched off to man a little bit there, but then we switched back to our zone, and they were just hitting their shots,” said Christian center Ari Johnson. ” There was not a lot we could do.”

Johnson definitely did her part, scoring 10 points, collecting seven rebounds, and tying a school record with six blocked shots in the contest.

“I just try not to swing down as much to hit their arms and just go up,” said Johnson of her ability to block shots without getting fouls.

Her six blocks tied a record set by Mallory Miller in 2022.

The freshman has also become one of the team’s top options on offense.

“She’s turned the corner I think into being one of the solid players that we can look to to score,” Cobbs said.

Johnson, a standout volleyball player, said basketball is a bit more complex.

“It’s definitely a little bit more complicated,” Johnson said. “You kind of have to find ways to work with your team, and it’s a lot more running.”

Johnson’s defense forced Marlow to the perimeter where she made the most of her opportunities.

“After I got blocked a few times, I thought I had to get some shots outside, so they couldn’t block it,” Marlow said.

In the end, those nine 3-pointers proved to be the difference as Langford owned a 27-point advantage from beyond the arch.

“Give Aberdeen Christian credit. They played hard. They’ve got some good length,” Alberts said. “It was a good thing we were able to knock some outside shots down or it was going to be a dogfight tonight.”

Marlow finished with a game-high 21 points and Darling followed with 18.

The Lions finished the regular season at 8-12. Langford has won three of its last four games.

“That’s what we talked about,” Alberts said. “We wanted to end the regular season on some momentum, like we did tonight, and it’s regions, anything can happen.”

While Christian fell to 0-19, Cobbs said the team is playing its best basketball of the season. The Knights cap the regular season by hosting Herreid-Selby Area on Friday at the Christian School Gym.

“This team that we play on Friday can shoot. Herreid-Selby they can shoot,” Cobbs said. “The game we watched, they hit 10 threes.”

LANGFORD AREA (8-12): Clarissa Guy 1 0-2 2, Paytyn Marlow 6 4-6 21, Lizzie Gustafson 1 0-0 2, Alex Darling 7 0-0 18, Eliana Darling 1 0-0 2, Josie Jensen 1 0-2 2, Mariah Tosse 1 0-0 2. Totals 18-55 4-10 49.

ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN (0-19): Alicia Davis 2 0-0 4, Ari Johnson 5 0-0 10, Jolie Fogarty 0 2-4 2, Sophia Eichler 2 0-0 4, Lucy Jones 1 0-0 2, Eri Cobbs 2 0-0 4, Jacie Fogarty 1 0-0 2. Totals 13-40 2-4 28.

Langford Area 10 23 44 49

Aberdeen Christian 4 12 24 28

3-point field goals – Marlow 5, A. Darling 4. Total fouls – Langford Area 4; Aberdeen Christian 12. Rebounds – Langford Area 34 (Guy 7); Aberdeen Christian 37 (Eichler 7, Johnson 7). Turnovers – Langford Area 8; Aberdeen Christian 25.