MIO AuSABLE - Mar. 1, 2010 - Riding a three game winning streak into the post-season, the Hale Lady Eagles looked poised to knock off fellow North Star League opponent on Hillman Monday night. Instead a late surge by the Tigers dealt the Eagles a 28-26 opening round district loss.

“It was an ugly win, I think everybody saw that,” Hillman coach John Kuzewski said. “A win is a win right now and that's what we're trying to do.”

The Tigers trailed 22-15 heading to the fourth quarter but came back tie the game at 26 with 1:25 to go. Courtney Jones' steal and score with 20 seconds left gave the Tigers their only lead of the game and made it stand Hale missed on two attempts to tie it up.

“Losing in the final minute never feels good,” said Hale coach Shannon Chrivia. “We were up by seven going into the fourth quarter but just couldn't convert on our shots. It was like someone put a lid on the basket.”

With buckets at a premium for most of the night, Hale slowly built a 6-1 lead after the first quarter as the Eagles earned two point baskets from Kaitlin Scott, Chelsea Niederquell and Laura Sidebottom.

The Tigers meanwhile only managed a free throw by Courtney Jones with 48 seconds remaining in the period.

A free throw by Scott put the Eagles up 9-4 midway through the second quarter, though two baskets by Hillman's Chelsea Stevens closed the gap to 9-8 with a minute to play in the half.

Niederquell gave Hale some breathing room going into the locker room, hitting triples in the final minute to put the Eagles up 15-9 at the break.

“We weren't shooting especially well, but we did lead the game until the final minute of play,” Chrivia said. “We upped our defensive effort with a press that seemed to bring a lot of energy. Going into halftime the momentum was definitely in our favor.”

The Tigers whittled away at the Hale lead in the third quarter, pulling within 17-15 with just over a minute to go. However a three-ball by Sidebottom and two free throws by Katie Runyan put the Eagles up 22-15 at the end of three.

Hillman (12-9) was led by Jones with 11 points, with Stevens adding seven and Laurie Price six.

“Hillman beat us by 23 points the last time we met, so coming in to this game we knew we were not favored to win,” Chrivia said. “I am very proud of the effort the team put in. We definitely have improved throughout the season.”

Hale ends its season with a 6-14 mark. Niederquell led the Eagles with eight points, with Scott scoring seven and Sidebottom five.

The Tigers continue their season on Wednesday against Posen (13-7).

“Posen is a lot different than Hale,” Kuzewski said. “A lot of size and they run different sets. We did some good things, but we have to have better intensity than we did tonight.”