JOHN DAY — The Grant Union Lady Prospector basketball team showed improvement in their home game against Heppner on Friday, Jan. 26, posting their third highest scoring effort of the season in a 61-32 loss to the Lady Mustangs.

The Lady Pros would get in the board first with just under 6:00 in the first for a slim 2-0 lead. The Lady Mustangs would go on a 1$-2 run in response that encompassed the rest of the first quarter to lead 12-4 after the first quarter.

The Lady Mustangs would take control in the second quarter, increasing their lead to 24-11 before a Lady Pro three-pointer with 1:30 left in the half cut the Lady Mustang lead to ten at 24-14. The Lady Mustangs would ultimately retake and carry a 13-point advantage with them into halftime at 27-14.

The Lady Pros would come out in the second half inspired, going on a small 5-2 run that saw them get the Lady Mustang advantage back down to ten at 29-19 with 7:00 left to go in the third. Again, the Lady Mustangs would go on a run in response, this time a 13-1 scoring blitz that saw their lead swell to 42-20 with less than 3:00 left in the third.

A Rillie Mitchell three pointer with 2:07 left in the third quarter and another seconds later saw the Lady Pros again attempt to cut into the Lady Mustang lead headed into the fourth quarter. Heppner would ultimately take a 45-26 lead into the fourth quarter of play.

The Lady Mustangs would continue to score in the fourth, outscoring the Lady Pros 16-6 in the quarter which included 6-2 and 10-2 scoring runs. The Lady Pros ultimately fell 61-32 for the young team’s 16th straight loss.

Previously mentioned Rillie Mitchell had herself a game, scoring 14 points for the Lady Pros. Gracie Hueckman added seven points for the Lady Pros and Emma Northway chipped in five for the Lady Pros.

Grant Union girls head basketball coach Jason Miller said the girls’ overall effort was better this week. “Our intensity and execution was better against Heppner and Weston McEwen last week,” he said. “The girls continue to improve and fight.”

Miller highlighted the toughness of the Blue Mountain Conference before saying his team just continues to work on improving themselves. “I am proud of this young team for continuing to battle and work hard to improve and support one another,” he said.

The Lady Pros will hit the court next on Friday, Feb. 2 when they head to Stanfield for a league battle with the Lady Tigers. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 6 p.m.