Photo courtesy of Troy L. Hugen Photography

It was a rough road trip to Albia for the Pella Christian girls basketball team Thursday night, as they struggled to knock down shots in a 35-33 loss to the Lady Dees. 

The Eagles jumped out to the early advantage in the contest, grabbing an 11-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. Pella Christian pushed their lead to 14-8 at the 5:55 mark of the second quarter, but Albia closed the period on a 13-8 run to take a 21-19 lead into halftime. The Eagles battled back to recapture a 25-24 lead with 3:38 to go in the third quarter, but the Lady Dees scored the final four points to take a 28-24 lead into the final eight minutes. Albia’s lead grew to 35-27 midway through the final quarter, and despite pulling the deficit within two points with a minute and a half remaining, Pella Christian couldn’t find the equalizing or winning basket. The Kacmarynski sisters led the way for the Eagles in the loss, with older sister Faith posting 11 points and seven rebounds and younger sister Rachel recording seven points and 11 rebounds. 

The Eagles girls basketball team fell to 2-6 overall on the season and they are off until next Thursday, when they join the boys squad for a home doubleheader against Newton.