After seven straight weeks of sitting atop the 3A girls state basketball poll, Mercer Island finally got their chance to see what the top team in the state looked like when they faced Holy Names tonight.

Holy Names made Mercer Island battle for every point in the district title game, which saw the Cougars take the game with a 74-67 final score.

The first quarter saw a somewhat rattled Mercer Island, who needed to find their own pace against the Cougars fast offensive and defensive styles.

Head coach Jamie Prescott said the girls were a bit frazzled in the first, but once they settled down things clicked.

The Islanders fought back in the second, chipping away at the Cougars lead to end the half down by just three points 32-29.

That three point barrier followed the teams into the second half, which forced both sides to find new ways to get to the basket. They ended the third quarter tied at 51 a piece.

By the fourth both teams sat in foul trouble and Mercer Island lost Kate Dapron, Sarah Taylor and Kris Brackman to the bench, while Hannah Lilly and Hailey Gullstad came out of the game due to injuries.

Precott said neither had serious injuries.

Despite a bad night at the free throw line for the Cougars, their last attempts, made by junior guard Claire Conricode gave them the final edge.

Both teams will begin their state tournament on Wednesday at the Tacoma Dome. The Islanders will enter the tournament at the No. 2 seed from the SeaKing district. They started their tournament last year as the No. 4 seed.

The WIAA will release the girls 3A state bracket tomorrow afternoon. Check back for an update on the MIHS girls first game.