PITTSBURGH — The final score belied the struggles Mars encountered in the first half.

Nine turnovers, a 5-of-24 effort from the field and a deficit in rebounds combined to put the Planets down 18-16 at halftime of Saturday's PIAA Class 5A first-round girls basketball playoff against Obama Academy.

“We had a week and a half off (since losing in the WPIAL semifinals),” said Planets' coach Dana Petruska. “It's no excuse, but you can go hard in practice, but it's not the same as playing a game. It took us a while to get going today.”

By the end of the third quarter, all of the frustration from the first half was gone. A 25-6 run had given the Planets a 41-24 lead and Mars easily closed out a 60-33 victory at Taylor Allderdice High School.

Junior guard Tai Johnson's day mirrored that of her team. She struggled from the floor in the first half, scoring just four points, but rebounded with 17 in the second half, including 10 in the third quarter to help the Planets put the Eagles on the ropes.

Senior Lauren Wasylson also scored 10 points in the third, but her team's defense was just as responsible for turning the tables on Obama.

The Eagles (16-8) turned the ball over eight times in the third quarter and missed all eight of their attempts from the floor. Haliee Blackwell's six free throws were the only scoring Obama could muster in the period.

“We were taking the same shots in the second half as we did in the first,” said Eagles' coach Monique McCoy, “but they just weren't falling. I think we tired a bit in the second half, lost focus and (Tai Johnson and Wasylson) are phenomenal players.”

“Usually, it's our defense that's a little sketchy at times,” said Petruska. “But once we got that cushion, we continued to play a tough, anticipating defense and did the things we need to do if we want to advance.”

Mars was 9-of-15 from the field in the third quarter and 15-of-26 in the second half.

“That first half, it was like there was a lid on the basket,” Wasylson said. “Everybody has to go through some adversity and that was it for us, but we had confidence in each other. We just had to keep shooting.”

Tai Johnson led all scorers with 21 points. Wasylson added 15 and Alek Johnson 13. The Johnson sisters both drained three 3-pointers.

Keshya Jones scored 11 points for the Eagles, including six in the first quarter, after which the Eagles led 11-10.

The Planets (20-6) will face Thomas Jefferson in the second round on Wednesday.

MARS 60

Tai Johnson 8 2-2 21, Alek Johnson 4 2-2 13, Lauren Wasylson 4 6-9 15, Bella Pelaia 3 3-4 9, Daria Hockenberry 1 0-0 2, Mara Fuller 0 0-2 0, Nichole Sommers 0 0-0 0, Ellie Coffield 0 0-0 0, Regan Kramm 0 0-0 0, Rachel Bobko 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 13-19 60.

OBAMA ACADEMY 33

Machia Hairston 1 0-0 2, Zari Grandy 2 0-0 4, Drea Williams 1 0-0 3, Haliee Blackwell 2 6-10 10, Keshya Jones 5 1-5 11, Javonna Perkins 0 1-2 1, Dyonna Hall 1 0-0 2, Talia Mitchelle 0 0-2 0, Sophie Levitt 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 8-19 33.

Mars 10 6 25 19 — 60

Obama Academy11 7 6 9 — 33

3-point goals: Mars 7 (T. Johnson 3, A. Johnson 3, Wasylson); Obama Academy 1 (Williams).

Wednesday: Mars vs. Thomas Jefferson, PIAA Class 5A second-round playoff, TBD