Pella committed 20 turnovers and shot just 17.9 percent from the field in a 33-24 loss to Marion yesterday afternoon in the class 4-A state semifinals in a game heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

Chloe Van Vliet nailed a three-pointer on Pella’s first offensive possession, but Marion scored the next 10 points to take control.

While the Lady Dutch trailed just 10-8 at the end of the first quarter, they fell behind 20-10 at halftime and were still down 10, 24-14, after three.

Ciara Buchheit hit three-pointers on back-to-back possessions to pull Pella within four, and they eventually cut the Indians advantage to 26-24. Unfortunately for the senior laden Lady Dutch, they couldn’t find that next big shot, and Marion salted the game away with five free throws.

Assistant Pella Coach Wade Van Vark said that it was a tough way to end a season with sky-high expectations.

“The girls put so much into the season. The coaches put so much into the season. Anytime you have invested in something and you don’t get the outcome that you want, it hurts a little bit. But they realize that they did everything they could, and they’re not hanging their heads. Somebody has to lose, and today that was us.”

Van Vliet led Pella with 8 points, Buchheit and Kiara Bradley scored 6 each, and Emily Holterhaus added 4.

Prior to today’s 24 points, the previous low this season for the Lady Dutch came in a 58-44 loss at Grinnell.

Pella’s season ends with a record of 20-5, while Marion will play North Scott in the championship game tonight at 6:00. The Lancers beat Xavier this morning 58-49.