The Marshfield Pirates have had the Siuslaw Vikings boys basketball team's number in recent seasons.

Now there's 51-47, which the Vikings won by Thursday night at Glenn Butler Court.

"Everyone stepped up, did their part," Siuslaw junior Braydon Thornton told Coast Radio in the glow of victory. "Wanted to get a win and we decided to beat this group of guys."

Siuslaw improved to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the Sky-Em League. The Vikings play Saturday at Elmira, with a 1:30 p.m. tipoff.

Thursday, Thornton and backcourt mate Brody Terry scored 17 points each as the Vikings' played four solid quarters of basketball for their first win over Marshfield in at least the past eight seasons.

Siuslaw's first win over Marshfield in at least 15 games was never easy, but then, the Vikings never let down.

"Everyone played team basketball, everyone stepped up and played their role, got touches on the ball," Thornton said. "I feel if everyone gets touches, they feel more a part of the team. Everyone started making buckets."

And steals.

Thornton, constantly in motion, made a clutch theft of a Pirates inbounds pass with 24 seconds to play to all-but seal the win.

Marshfield had cut the Vikings' lead to one, 46-45, on a pair of free throws with 35 seconds to play.

Siuslaw opened a three-point lead, 48-45, on a layin by Junior Avery Hart, and Thornton promptly stole the following Pirates inbounds pass with 24 seconds left.

Terry hit two free throws for a 50-45 lead with 16 seconds to play. Pirates junior Mason Ainsworth, who had a game-high 22 points, then scored on a layin and Terry followed with a free throw for the final 51-47 score.

"One of the things we talked about was the head's up play by Braydon to get the steal after a nice made bucket, basically sealing the game for the Vikings," Coast Radio color commentator Max Perry said.

"It's something you want to see from them all the time. But when a kid is that good a basketball player, who plays good organic basketball, makes plays, it's just so fun to watch."

In other games Thursday, league-leader Junction City (2-0) won at Marist, 56-46, and Cottage Grove routed visiting Elmira, 57-27.

The Vikings are now in a four-way tie for second with Marshfield, Marist and Cottage Grove at 1-1 in league.

Elmira is 0-2.

"I think we can expect a pretty dominant game from us," Thornton said, looking ahead to Saturday. "I think we're going to get after them, and I think we're going to get a win that day."

MARSHFIELD  15 10   7 15 — 47
SIUSLAW         15   6 17 13 — 51
Marshfield — Mason Ainsworth 8 3-4 22, Pierce Davidson 4 2-3 10, Noah Niblett 2 3-4 8, Monty Swinson 2 0-0 4, Dom Montiel 0 3-5 3. Totals 16 11-16 47.
3-point goals: Mason Ainsworth 3, Noah Niblett 1.
Siuslaw — Brody Terry 5 3-4 17, Braydon Thornton 6 3-4 17, Avery Hart 5 2-5 12, Jacob Foskett 1 1-2 3, Aiden Jefferis 1 0-0 2. Totals 18 9-15 51.
3-point goals: Brody Terry 4, Braydon Thornton 2.