LEXINGTON — North Laurel was looking to extend its win streak to two games during Tuesday’s first round match with Baylor, Tenn. in the Central Bank Jim Rose Classic.
But it wasn’t meant to be.
The Jaguars (1-6) fell behind early in the first quarter, and was playing catch-up for most of the game before falling, 71-65.
“We had our chances again today,” North Laurel coach Nate Valentine said. “They posed several matchup problems for us on the defensive end, and we didn’t handle that well. I still have a lot of confidence in these guys but we have to continue to improve. We’ll figure it out.”
North Laurel trailed 24-18 at the end of the first quarter despite Reece Davidson knocking down two 3-pointers while Jordan Rawlings, and Joel Smith hit one 3-pointer apiece.
North Laurel managed only to score 10 points in the second quarter, trailing 36-28, before attempting to rally in the third quarter.
The Jaguars cut their deficit to 50-44 with eight minutes remaining behind Davidson’s nine third quarter points while Rawlings added another 3-pointer.
Smith added eight points during the fourth quarter while Brody Brock scored six points, and Rawlings connected with his third 3-pointer, but it wasn’t enough for North Laurel to pull out the win.
Davidson and Smith each led North Laurel with 16 points apiece while Brock finished with 12 points, and Rawlings chipped in 11 points.
The Jaguars will be back in action Tuesday at 2 p.m. against an opponent to be determined later today.
