The STC girls basketball team returned home on Friday night, Dec. 6 to face the Independence Mustangs. In a hard-fought, physical game, the Trojans kept it close in the first half before Independence pulled away to win, 43-31.

STC got off to an encouraging start in the contest. At the end of the first quarter, the Trojans led 10-7 behind defensive intensity and eight points and five rebounds by junior Rylee Ridout.

But the Mustangs responded in the second quarter, outscoring STC 12-2. Independence was helped by 8 Trojan turnovers to take a 19-12 lead into the halftime break.

The Trojans came out for the second half determined to cut into the Mustang lead. And by the midpoint of the third quarter, they had. Led by scores from sophomore Olivia Hala, freshman Cahysia Kapayou, and freshman Dyan Keahna, STC scored the first five points and cut the Independence lead to 19-17. However, the remainder of the third quarter doomed the Trojans. The Mustangs rattled off a 16-0 run and by the end of the quarter Independence took a commanding 35-20 lead.

The Trojans continued to fight in the fourth quarter. Baskets by Ridout, Hala, and freshman Scout Ridout helped STC outscore the Mustangs 11-8 to end the game. But Independence had built a big enough lead to withstand, and won the contest 43-31.

For the game, STC was led by Rylee Ridout in scoring (14 points) and rebounds (9). Keahna added 7 points, while Hala contributed 6 points.

STC (0-3) hits the road for their next three games before Christmas. They travel to West Delaware (Dec. 13), Williamsburg (Dec. 17), and Vinton-Shellsburg (Dec. 20).