The Prairie Falcons saw their win streak end at 36 with a loss to a traditional power from California in the first round of the Engery Classic in Gillette, Wyo.
Amber Blockman scored eight of her 22 points in the fourth quarter as Lynwood pulled away late for the 13-point win. Prescilla Lopez added 21 points.
The Falcons lost their opener to the 2011-12 season on Dec. 5 but then won 27 in a row to capture their sixth consecutive state title. Prairie then won its first nine games this season.
Prairie’s first-year coach Mike Smith said his team had some “uncharacteristic” miscues in the fourth quarter, turning a close game into the runaway loss.
“They’re not happy,” he said of his players. “It’s hard, because of the expectations we have. It’s not a good feeling. It was a woulda, coulda, shoulda game. But maybe it gets us refocused and working harder.”
Cori Woodward led Prairie with 20 points. Megan Lindsley added eight, and Lindsey Asplund scored seven.
“I’d rather have a loss now than later on,” Smith said.
Prairie plays Lincoln of Portland at 11:30 Pacific in the consolation bracket.
LYNWOOD (Calif.) 58, PRAIRIE 45
PRAIRIE (9-1) — Lindsey Asplund 7, Cori Woodward 20, Aislinn Konig 2, Jamie Phares 2, Nicole Geocke 4, Emily Peters 2, Megan Lindsley 8. Totals 15 (3) 12-13 45.
LYNWOOD — Prescilla Lopez 21, Amber Blockman 22, Johnson 2, N. Johnson 1, Lofton 6, Lomax 6. Totals 22 (4) 10-17 58.
Prairie 16 11 10 8–45
Lynwood 12 15 11 20–58
