The Houston girls basketball team lost both of its games this week in the Thayer Winter Classic – but not without a fight.
The Lady Tigers, who haven’t won since their season opener, held a late first-half lead against Bakersfield on Wednesday and were only down 2 at the half. But fullcourt pressure that led to multiple HHS turnovers as part of a 20-0 run propelled the Lady Lions to a 52-34 win.
Houston, which doesn’t play again until it returns to Thayer on Feb. 2 for a SCA matchup, lost its 13th consecutive game.
Senior Gracyn McNiell had game highs of 19 points and 6 steals for HHS, which lost at Bakersfield 66-24 just five days earlier. Ashley Gilbert and Claire Benoist grabbed 7 rebounds apiece. Ava Koch had 5 assists.
In Monday’s tournament opener, Gilbert scored a team-best 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting and had 8 rebounds in a 64-38 loss to Thayer.
McNiell added 9 points and a team-high 10 rebounds for Houston (1-13). Izzy Cook and Benoist scored 6 points apiece.
Thayer won their tournament – the 52nd annual – with a 56-48 victory over Alton. Couch finished third by beating Dora 49-42 and Liberty won the consolation in triple overtime 74-71 against Bakersfield.
BOX SCORES
Wednesday’s game
Houston 13 8 5 8 – 34
Bakersfield 11 12 20 9 – 52
HOUSTON (34) – Mainer 2. Cook 6. Benoist 1. McNiell 19. Gilbert 6. FG 12. FT 8-18 F 16. (3-pointers: Cook 2).
Monday’s game
Houston 8 2 11 17 – 38
Thayer 16 11 14 23 – 64
HOUSTON (38) – Cook 6. Koch 3. Volk 2. Benoist 6. McNiell 9. Gilbert 12. FG 17. FT 3-11. F 9. (3-pointers: Koch).