The New Palestine girls basketball team dropped a tough loss Saturday at home against Southport.
The host Dragons ran stride for stride with the visiting Cardinals before falling behind in the second half to lose 49-37.
Southport used a 14-2 run to break a tie game and turn the margin into a 40-28 advantage in the closing minutes.
The game was back-and-forth in the first half and carried over into the third quarter as New Palestine grabbed its last lead a minute into the second half off a Haley Harrison 3-pointer.
After Southport scored five straight buckets to take hold of the momentum, Leah Seib buried two shots around a basket by Megan Jolly and two Cardinals’ free throws knotted things up at 26-26.
A three-point play by Southport center Jaelencia Willams secured the lead for good as a steal and a score and another trey from Williams put the Cardinals ahead. A 3-pointer by Lexie Green pushed the lead to double digits.
Harrison led the Dragons with nine points. The sophomore guard added five rebounds and five steals while playing all 32 minutes.
Jolly, a sophomore guard had six points and two rebounds. Emma Grable, a junior, added five points. Freshman Jordan Reid had four points and three rebounds. Seib had four points and four assists.
New Palestine senior Raegan McMurray finished with four points and a team-high six rebounds.
Williams and Emma DeHart led the Southport Cardinals with 15 points each. The Dragons defense held the Cardinals to 36 percent shooting as New Palestine shot 34 percent.
The Dragons are now 1-2 on the season and play tomorrow at Franklin Central to kick off a three-game road stretch.
Royals fall to Tigers
The Triton Central Tigers brought plenty of offense Saturday night, defeating the Eastern Hancock girls basketball team 52-35.
The Royals drop to 2-2 on the season and return to the floor Friday at home against Irvington Prep Academy.
