The PCM girls basketball team dropped their season opener to Chariton Friday night 44-38.

It was a tight contest between both teams with an 8-8 tie after the first quarter, and a 17-17 tie at halftime. Neither team gained much separation in the third with PCM holding a slight 26-25 advantage going into the fourth. Ultimately the Chargers pulled away in the end to defeat the Mustangs 44-38. Addison Steenhoek led the Mustangs in scoring with 16 points. Despite the loss, PCM coach Sami Allison-Rodriquez was happy with how her team played in their first game of the year.

“I’m really proud of our effort out there. Obviously it didn’t go as we wanted it to but we knew tonight was going to be a battle. Chariton is always physical. They’re senior led. They had all of their kids returning, and they know how to play with each other.”

PCM falls to 0-1 on the season, and will travel to Knoxville on Tuesday.