FREEPORT — Freeport jumped out to a big lead early. But the Yellowjackets faded late.

The hosts managed to score only eight points in the second half in dropping a 43-29 girls basketball decision to Kiski Area during the Freeport Tip-Off Tournament Friday night.

“We have a couple of girls out with injuries right now and we’re a young team to begin with,” Freeport coach Jason Kerr said. “I think fatigue caught up to us. We just got tired out there.

“That’s something we’re going to have to work on.”

The Yellowjackets (0-2) took an 8-1 lead less than three minutes into the game. Lilly Holloway sank a pair of treys to get her team rolling. Freeport held on for a 21-20 halftime lead and a Jaisa Gaillot layup pulled the team even at 26 with 6:10 left in the third quarter.

Related Article: Cam Booher, Butler girls basketball beat Mercyhurst Prep to start tip-off tournament

That’s when the offense dried up.

Freeport did not score again until 1:22 remained in the game. Kiski Area (3-0) went on a 17-0 run during the interim.

The Cavaliers had 19 turnovers on the night, but the Yellowjackets could not convert on the other end.

“We had two juniors, two sophomores and a freshman on the floor much of the time,” Lansberry said. “Our inexperience showed. We’ll keep working at it. We have a bunch of guards on the court and we have to gang-rebound. That wasn’t happening tonight.”

The Cavaliers enjoyed a 32-18 edge on the boards. Jada Lauchik, a sophomore, led Kiski with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Rikya Broden added nine points.

“Jada showed a lot of promise toward the end of her freshman season,” Cavaliers coach Dave Williamson said. “Tonight was her coming out party. I’m excited about her development as a player.

“This was not our best game. But you never take a win for granted, especially in varsity basketball.”

Related Article: PIAA girls basketball season preview 2024-25: Meet the Top 8 players to watch in Butler County

Lilly Holloway led Freeport with 14 points, including four treys. Gaillot had six steals.

“We did a nice job with our defensive pressure,” Kerr said. “The next step is to take advantage at the offensive end when we turn people over.”

Williamson said he was impressed with Freeport’s effort.

“They kept coming, played hard, really pushed us,” he said. “We need games like this to have the winning season we’re hoping for.”

Kiski was 6-16 last season and has one starter back.

Freeport will play Fox Chapel — a 55-23 winner over Highlands earlier Friday — at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

“They have a great program, but we know them well from summer ball,” Kerr said. “We’ll see how it goes.”

KISKI AREA 43

Gianna DeVito 0-4 0-0 0, Jada Lauchik 9-16 2-2 20, Olivia Strellic 1-2 0-0 2, Rikya Broden 1-3 7-9 9, Sydney Heineck 0-1 0-0 0, Al Penceck 3-7 0-0 6, Arianna Bell 1-2 0-2 2, Bella Horcicek 1-3 2-2 4, Alaysia Bell 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 16-38 11-15 43.

FREEPORT 29

Maggie Conger 0-1 2-2 2, Lilly Holloway 5-13 0-0 14, Macy Stivenson 3-4 0-0 7, Jaisa Gaillot 1-5 0-1 2, Nia DiSanti 2-10 0-2 4, Elena Jenkins 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 11-35 2-5 29.

Kiski Area 7 13 13 10 — 43

Freeport 10 11 5 3 — 29

3-point goals: Freeport 5 (Holloway 4, Stivenson)

Saturday: Fox Chapel at Freeport, 1:30 p.m.