Vikings struggle in tourney

HUNTINGTON BEACH - Marina finished play Thursday at the Larry Doyle Basketball Classic it hosted. The Vikings took on Torrance without the services of two key players but still hung tough before folding in the fourth quarter in a 40-26 loss.

The tournament, which started Monday concludes Thursday at 4:30 p.m. JSerra takes on Palos Verdes in the championship game.

Starting sophomore point guard Melissa Lindquist played but four minutes of the first quarter Thursday before leaving the game, and gym, due to illness. Junior shooting guard Jennifer Chau, one of the first players off the Marina bench, did not play due to illness.

“I thought we played great considering we were without Melissa and Jennifer,” Marina first-year coach Dean Katayama said. “We hustled, played with intensity and came ready to play ... it was those ‘intangibles’ that made it a great effort. The girls didn’t give up and we were right there going into the fourth quarter.”

The Vikings, now 3-9, actually led, 8-7, after one quarter. They trailed 15-13 at the half and were within 22-16 heading into the final quarter.

Junior guard Lauren Dorame topped Marina with nine points.

The Vikings play host to Katella in a 7 p.m. nonleague game on Tuesday.

michael.sciacca@latimes.com

Twitter: @MikeSciacca