PENDLETON — The Pendleton Heights Lady Arabians fell to 1-2 and 0-1 in the Hoosier Heritage Conference with a tough 50-48 loss at the hands of the Greenfield Central Lady Cougars.

The Lady Arabians led 46-45 on a shot by Mur Hagerman with 1:30 remaining in the final quarter. The Lady Cougars missed a shot and Pendleton returned the favor. Greenfield’s Kelsey Bryant, a thorn in the Lady Arabians side all night, hit a long 3-pointer lead 48-46. Arabian freshman Kenzie Gustin hit 1 of 2 free throws with 16 to narrow the lead to 48-47. The Arabians were forced to foul and Bryant hit 1 and the bonus with 10 seconds on the clock. Pendleton could not get a 3-pointer off but Jamie Hubble was fouled with 1 second on the clock. She hit the first free throw and intentional missed the second but time expired before anyone could come up with ball.

Pendleton Head Coach Shari Doud was disappointed with the loss.

“They were a tough physical team that pushed us around all night. We need to communicate more and make better decisions.”

The Lady Arabians led the entire first quarter. After being tied at they led 12-11 at the end of the first quarter. Sophomore Kelsey Hubble scored all of her five points in the quarter.

Hagerman and Hannah Douglas, the leading scorers for the Lady Arabians, both sat out much of the second quarter with two fouls. Hagerman had two points in the first quarter and Douglas did not score as the Greenfield defense also keyed them; denying the ball much as they could.

With their most experienced players on the bench the young Lady Arabians battled, falling behind 23-16. A bucket by Jamie Hubble, a 3-pointer by freshman Kenzie Gustin and a free throw by Molly Craig closed the gap to 26-22 at halftime.

Pendleton Heights came out aggressively in the third quarter. Forcing eight Lady Cougar turnovers the Lady Arabians outscored Greenfield 13-6 to take a 35-32 lead entering the final quarter. Pendleton twice had five point leads but did not score in the last three minutes. Douglas scored six of her eight points in the quarter.

The scored was three times early in the final quarter before the Lady Cougars gained control. The Lady Arabians were led by Gustin with 18 points. Bryant finished with 21 points for the Lady Cougars. Pendleton Heights hosts Frankton tonight.