WARNER – Aberdeen Christian had a lead, lost a lead and nearly got a lead back, but was unable to complete the comeback, falling 35-28 to Lower Brule in girls’ basketball Saturday morning at the Warner Classic.

Despite the setback, Knights’ coach Andre Cobbs said there was plenty to like about his team’s effort.

“This was the best they have played together as a group,” Cobbs said.

Amongst the bright spots was a first-quarter defensive effort that held Lower Brule to just two points as Christian jumped out to a 6-2 lead. 

Foul trouble, however, began to plague the Knights, who eventually gave up that lead, then found themselves trailing by as many as 15 in the second half.

“We cut it down from 15 to 6 with a minute or so left,” Cobbs said, “but we couldn’t bring it out.”

Christian’s Sophia Eichler, who tossed in three points, recorded a monster effort on the boards, corralling 20 rebounds. Jolie Fogarty had an 11-point, 14-rebound double-double, as well.

“They had the shots and had very good shot selection, but just couldn’t get it through the net,” Cobbs said. “We had a few fast breaks that looked good, and our defense played really well.”

Christian, 0-18, heads to Tulare on Monday to face Hitchcock-Tulare, before closing out the regular season with home contests against Langford Area Tuesday at the Aberdeen Civic Arena and against Herreid-Selby Area Friday at the Christian School Gym.

ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN (0-17): Eri Cobbs 2 1-1 5, Ariana Johnson 3 1-5 7, Jolie Fogarty 5 1-5 11, Sophia Eichler 1 1-6 3, Molleigh Hofer 1 0-0 2. Totals 12 4-19 28.

LOWER BRULE (8-10): Shante Walters 0 1-2 1, Brilyn LaRoche 4 1-2 11, Lael Middletent 4 5-9 14, Harper Bien 2 0-0 4, Madison Langdeau 0 1-2 1, Ezmiah Middletent 2 0-4 4. Totals 12 8-19 35.

Aberdeen Christian 6 8 13 28

Lower Brule 2 11 30 35

3-point field goals – LaRoche 2, L. Middletent. Fouled out – Aberdeen Christian, Cobbs, Jacee Fogerty. Total fouls – Aberdeen Christian 20; Lower Brule 15.