NEWCASTLE – About a four-minute stretch in the third quarter was the undoing for the Torrington High School girls’ basketball team when they returned to the court for the first time in 2022.

In the third quarter, the Lady Blazers were outscored 17-9, giving the Newcastle Lady Dogies enough of a lead to hold on down the stretch

“We had troubles putting the ball in the hole up there Friday,” THS coach Jeff Halley said. “They shot pretty well, but we went on a stretch in the third quarter where we just couldn’t score for about four minutes.”

The Lady Blazers shot only 25% (16-of-65) from the floor, including only 15% (3-of-20) from 3-point range in the loss.

The game was tied at 21 apiece heading into the third quarter.

Outside of the third quarter, the two teams nearly matched each other point for point.

“It was a pretty evenly matched up game, and we can’t let those runs happen when you play a quality team,” Halley said.

Halley also attributed rebounding struggles for the loss.

“Our rebounding wasn’t as good as it usually is, and that led to troubles getting going on our fast break,” he said.

Both teams grabbed 34 rebounds apiece, with Newcastle grabbing more offensive rebounds 13-11.

THS senior Reece Halley led the team with a double-double, scoring 13 points and hauling in 10 rebounds. Junior Marissa Moorehouse added eight points and eight rebounds. Senior Mattie Jones added six points, to go along with three assists and two steals.

The Lady Blazers (4-6) finally open the home portion of the schedule Thursday evening against Mitchell, Nebraska. The Lady Tigers come into the game with a 6-7, dropping their last two games to Scottsbluff, Nebraska and Chadron, Nebraska.

Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.