Friday night, the young Bald Eagle Area girls basketball team welcomed a talented, veteran squad in Hollidaysburg to its home venue. Playing with numerous first-year players, the Lady Eagles hung around for much of the contest, even outscoring the Tigers 8-3 in the final stanza, but they’d ultimately end up falling, 50-24, in Laurel Highlands action to drop to 0-3 on the season.

“The girls’ efforts right now are what’s keeping this team together. We have a lot of girls out there who are new to basketball. They are out there playing tonight. We’ve got some good senior leaders trying to keep things together,” said Bald Eagle Area coach Mike Habovick. “I’m super proud of this team. That’s a state level championship team we just played there. They may have doubled us up but we scored 24 against Hollidaysburg. So we’re pretty happy with that.”

The Eagles were led by Kinsey Clark. Clark posted eight points on the night. Addison Mottin followed with five points, nothing the team’s lone three-pointer of the night. And Taylor Habovick finished up with three points while Riley Housel, Danyka Smith, Jaysa Smith and Lydia Walk all scored two.

The Tigers were led by Bella Vent who finished with a game-high 19 points. She hit three triples en route to the win. Teammate Clare Padamarisky also finished in double digits with 16.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle senior Olivia Taylor (14) drives to the hoop during the team's 50-24 loss to Hollidaysburg on Friday at Bald Eagle Area.

In the first quarter, Hollidaysburg got out to a sizzling start, outscoring the Eagles 22-2. Vent notched 12 of her 19 points in the first.

Bald Eagles’ lone bucket within the period was scored by Mottin.

But despite that, the Lady Eagles refused to go away, battling back in the second to outscore Hollidaysburg 8-6, which cut the Tigers’ lead to 28-10 as the game went into the intermission. Clark led the scoring with six while teammate Smith added a bucket. Padamarisky paced the Lady Tigers with four. Teammate Jillian Sydney scored two points from the charity stripe.

Coming out of the half, the Tigers were again busy in the scoring department, putting pressure on the young Eagles.

When the dust settled at the end of the third quarter, Hollidaysburg outscored Bald Eagle Area 19-6.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle sophomore Riley Housel (4) looks for a shot during the team's 50-24 loss to Hollidaysburg on Friday at Bald Eagle Area.

Again, Padamarisky led her team, this time finishing the period with an eight-point effort to forefront an effort which saw the Lady Tigers go into the final stanza with a 47-16 lead.

Going into the final stanza, the Lady Tigers led 47-16.

Despite being in a “Mercy Rule” status, the Eagles ended the fourth in style, showing their “never say die” attitude and hustle.

Hollidaysburg started off the quarter scoring. Vent muscled her way through the heart of the Eagles defense and hit on a runner in the lane while being fouled on the play. She finished the old fashion 3-point play with a foul shot.

From there, Lydia Walk got on the scoreboard, hitting a tough jumper. The Eagles scored again when Housel hit 1-of-2 from the foul line. On the following possession, Mottin hit a triple to keep the run going. Jaysa Smith finished the game scoring as she went hard in the lane, ending the score at 50-24.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle senior Taylor Habovick (13) takes a shot over a defender during the team's 50-24 loss to Hollidaysburg on Friday at Bald Eagle Area.

Hollidaysburg 50, Bald Eagle Area 24

HOLLIDAYSBURG (50)

Alissa Heim 1 0-0 2, Lauren Stevenson 1 0-0 2, Bella Vent 7 2-3 19, Clare Padamarisky 7 2-2 16, Jillian Sidney 0 2-2 2, Makenna Weinert 2 1-2 5, Skyler Bailey 1 0-0 2, Kate Steiner 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 7-9 50.

BALD EAGLE AREA (24)

Kinsey Clark 4 0-0 8, Riley Housel 0 2-4 2, Lydia Walk 1 0-0 2, Danyka Smith 1 0-0 2, Taylor Habovick 1 1-2 3, Addison Mottin 2 0-0 5, Jaysa Smith 1 0-0 2. Totals 10 2-6 24.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle freshman Addison Mottin (32) takes a shot over a Hollidaysburg defender during the team's 50-24 loss to Hollidaysburg on Friday at Bald Eagle Area.

HOL – 22 6 19 3 – 50

BEA – 2 8 6 8 – 24

Three-point shots: HOL – Vent 3. BEA – Mottin.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle sophomore Lydia Walk dribbles down the court during the team's 50-24 loss to Hollidaysburg on Friday at Bald Eagle Area.