Prairie City's Kayla Reid pulls down a rebound after a missed free throw in front of Spray players Alyssa Garber, Torrie Simmons (30), Shae Bruce (20) and teammate Danielle Ricco (23). The Eagle/Tim Adams

Spray 44, Prairie City 35

PRAIRIE CITY – An 18-point effort by Megan Garber combined with too many second half turnovers proved to be the difference on Tuesday as the Prairie City girls basketball dropped its third TriCo League basketball game of the season, falling to Spray 44-35.

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak and left the Lady Panthers with a 6-3 league record at the midway point of the TriCo League season.

“I think we got tired tonight and just couldn’t hit any baskets,” Prairie City coach Penny Black said. “We gave it all we had, but just came up short. I think maybe playing three easy games in a row might have had something to do with it and we were just too laid-back.”

Spray took a 9-4 lead after the first quarter and was still ahead by five points, 21-16, at halftime.

In the second half Garber, who had sat out most of the season, took the game over scoring six points in the third quarter and adding 10 in the fourth.

Prairie City had a difficult time stopping the 6-1 Spray senior, despite being double-teamed under the basket.

“I think we just ran out of gas against them,” Panthers’ senior Lindy Black said.

The Lady Panthers also turned the ball over 14 times in the second half which led to a number of easy Spray baskets.

Emily Fischer had 11 points for the Eagles, including one three-pointer, and Shae Bruce scored eight, six of which came on a pair of three-point baskets.

Danielle Ricco was the only player in double figures for Prairie City scoring 12 points. Black had eight and Kayla Reid scored seven.