Warsaw freshman guard Kilee Slone runs the show Thursday night versus Plymouth.

PLYMOUTH – Warsaw girls basketball coach Michelle Harter walked out of the Plymouth High School gym late Thursday night feeling better about her team.

She would feel even better though if her squad could just get a few more shots to go in the basket.

The shorthanded Tigers put up a game fight in dropping a tough 32-26 final to a strong Plymouth team in the Northern Lakes Conference opener for both Thursday night.

Warsaw, which drops to 2-6 with its third straight loss, was done in again by its’ shooting struggles. The Tigers made just 11-32 shots from the field, including only 5-18 in the final half.

Freshman Page Desenberg and junior Pam Miller each scored seven points to pace Warsaw.

The Tigers, who went 6-1 to win the NLC title in a 24-2 season a year ago, had won their last four meetings versus the Pilgrims.

Junior Haley Harrell netted 10 points including going 7-10 from the free throw line, to pace the Pilgrims. Freshman Nicole Horvath had seven points for the hosts, who improve to 7-2.

The Tigers were without seniors Nikki Grose and Brooklyn Harrison. The pair, who combined for 12 points Tuesday night in a 38-24 loss at Columbia City,  were out due to a violation of team rules.

Vicki Harris pushes the ball up court for the Tigers at Plymouth.

Harter, despite seeing her team score in the 20’s for the third straight game, saw plenty to like.

“I feel more positive tonight than any game we’ve played so far this season,” said Harter. “We played as a team tonight and shared the ball. I was much more pleased with our offensive movement and how we attacked the basket.

“I thought our girls responded tonight. They came in here and played tough against a very good team. They listened and communicated on defense.

“The difference in the game was that Plymouth hit open shots when they had them. Scoring has been an issue for us all season, but eventually our shots will go in. Our girls just need to relax and get the mentality that the shots are going in and that the other team is not going to stop them.”

Warsaw started strong Thursday night versus a Plymouth team that had lost its’ last two games to South Bend Washington and John Glenn. The Tigers  led 14-7 near the midway point of the second quarter after a rebound bucket by the hard working Desenberg. The Pilgrims answered with a key 9-0 run, ignited by treys from Harrell and junior Kaydon Fosler, to lead 16-14 at halftime.

The Tigers got within 18-17 on a jumper by Vicki Harris near the midway point of the third quarter. Plymouth answered again though, this time with an 8-0 run to take control for good by building a 26-17 lead with 6:44 left in the contest. Sophomore Shannon Stephenson hit three huge layups in the stretch to spark the winners.

“I was proud of our kids tonight,” said Plymouth coach Dave Duncan, who guided the Pilgrims to an 18-7 mark and a sectional title last season. “They followed our game plan well and played a little more physical. I thought they took what we worked on in practice to the game tonight and played hard and played smart.

“I thought Hunter (Stevens) made the difference on the floor for us with her dishes to teammates. They did a good job early taking her away and Haley and Kaydon stepped up and hit a couple big threes for us.”

Senior Eryn Leek looks for room to operate against the Pilgrims.

Warsaw hurt itself with 21 turnovers in the contest, while Plymouth had 14 miscues.

The Tigers have now shot a combined 29-120 from the field, including 6-38 from 3-point range, in their last three games. Warsaw has scored a total of 77 points in losses to Wabash, Columbia City and Plymouth.

Harris had four points, senior Eryn Leek and freshman Kilee Slone three each and junior Erin Clemens two for the Tigers. Desenberg and Miller each led the team with five rebounds.

Stephenson and Stevens each scored six points for Plymouth, which has just one senior this season. Horvath had seven rebounds and Stevens six for the Pilgrims.

The hosts hit a key 10-13 from the free throw line in the win. Warsaw was just 2-5 from the charity stripe.

The Warsaw junior varsity team suffered its first loss of the season as Plymouth rallied for a 27-24 overtime win. Freshmen Dayton Groninger and Madi Graham had seven and six points respectively for Warsaw. Sophomore Tahya Bruce added five. Kara Morwood had 12 points and Lexi Mahabeer nine for Plymouth.

Both teams return to NLC action Saturday night. Warsaw plays at Wawasee (1-6) and Plymouth hosts NorthWood (5-3).

Junior Vicki Harris keeps an eye on Plymouth’s Nicole Horvath during NLC action Thursday night. Host Plymouth won 32-26.