Mulhall-Orlando’s Lady Panthers finished fourth in their own 55th annual basketball tournament after losing a 44-42 nail-biter to Union City on Saturday.
The Lady Panthers led 13-9 after the first quarter only to trail 18-17 at the half, but rallied to lead 31-28 after three quarters in the see-saw game.
Union City scored 16 points in the fourth quarter and was 11-for-12 from the free throw line, aiding the comeback.
Emily Parsons led the way with 13 points. Kaitlyn O’Neal added 11 and Codie McNeill scored 10 for the home team.
The Lady Panthers opened their tournament run with a 47-33 win against Verden as Parsons and McNeill led the way with 19 and 12 points, respectively. The home team jumped out to a 27-8 halftime lead.
In the semifinal game, the Lady Panthers ran into a red-hot No. 1-seeded Varnum Lady Whippets, who scorched the nets for 23 points in the first quarter and a 40-19 halftime lead. Parsons led the way with 16 points.
The Lady Panthers (6-9) have games with Prue and Billings before playing in the Coyle Tournament on Jan. 19-21.
The Mulhall-Orlando boys team (3-11) lost both of their games in the tournament.
Tatum Kime scored 29 points Friday as the Panthers dropped a 64-51 decision to eventual tournament champion Drumright. In the consolation bracket, Carney outscored the Panthers 17-8 in the fourth quarter to secure a 48-42 win. Kime had 16 points and Ryan Beier added 13.
The Panthers also will be in the Coyle Tournament on Jan. 19-21.