SLIPPERY ROCK — It wasn't a particularly good first 12 minutes of the season for the Mars girls basketball team.

The Planets shot poorly, were sloppy and turnover-prone.

And in a big early hole.

Try as it might, Mars could never dig itself out of it in a 55-47 loss Friday to Mercyhurst Prep at the Slippery Rock Tournament.

“You never want to lose,” said Mars coach Dana Petruska, “but when you have on the floor two freshmen, a sophomore, a junior and a senior, it's going to take a little time to work things out.”

It took a little too long.

Mars trailed 24-11 midway through the second quarter, but went on a 15-5 run to end the half.

Lauren Wasylson, who was cold early, caught fire in the second quarter. The senior drained three 3-pointers in the final four minutes of the half and had 13 points at the break.

Bella Pelaia also showed off her shooting touch during the run with two 3-pointers of her own.

Mars managed to tie the game at 33-33 on a layup by Alek Johnson with 4:05 left in the third quarter, but Mercyhurst Prep went on a quick 8-0 run.

And the Planets found themselves in another hole.

“Can't fault them,” Petruska said. “I use a team like (Mercyhurst Prep) as an example to my kids. They're deep and very skilled.”

Mars was without starting point guard Tai Johnson and it showed.

Tai Johnson is out with a stress fracture on her leg and it's uncertain when she can return. She's been cleared to resume practice Monday, but in a limited capacity.

Freshman Ellie Coffield played well off the bench for the Planets.

Wasylson finished with 23 points, but fouled out late in the game.

Mars trailed 45-38 after three quarters, but got as close as 50-46 in the fourth before Mercyhurst Prep pulled away.

Pelaia also had a strong game with 14 points.

Mars will play Keystone in the consolation game Saturday.

“No sense getting all worked up,” Petruska said. “Yet.

“We only had two starters from last year on the floor,” she added. “It's new territory for them. I think we'll be OK.”

MARS 47

Alek Johnson 2 0-1 5, Lauren Wasylson 8 3-3 23, Nichole Sommers 0 2-4 2, Bella Pelaia 4 4-6 14, Ellie Coffield 1 0-0 3, Regan Kramm 0 0-0 0, Daria Hockenberry 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 9-14 47.

MERCYHURST PREP 55

Miranda Bly 3 5-5 11, Abby Chermack 3 0-1 8, Emily Thompson 7 0-0 15, Renee Stoicovy 2 3-5 8, Brianna Potter 1 1-1 3, Kaitlyn Pasko 3 2-2 10, Jillian Spano 0 0-0 0, Megan Lutterbaugh 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19 11-14 55.

Mars 7 19 12 9 — 47

Mercyhurst Prep17 12 16 10 — 55

3-point goals: Mars 8 (Wasylson 4, Pelaia 2, Coffield, Johnson); Mercyhurst Prep 6 (Chermack 2, Pasko 2, Thompson, Stoicovy).