By DAVID COLBURN

News editor

Missed opportunities down the stretch sent the Hillsboro girls down to defeat against Republic County, 41-27, on Tuesday in the first round of the Trojans Classic tournament.

The Trojans built a 10-7 lead through the first quarter on 4-of-9 shooting from the field and nailing two free throws. From there, it was a gradual slide downhill.

Hillsboro scored just two baskets in the second period, with a Brooklyn Wiens jumper from the free throw line keeping the Trojans close at the half, 14-18.

Marah Franz scored along the baseline to open the third quarter, and the Trojans pulled to within 1 point on an Alex Ratzlaff free throw. The teams traded baskets on the next two possessions, with Ratzlaff hitting a 12-foot shot in the lane and Franz scoring another shot from the baseline.

Republic County led 24-21 when Allison Weber launched a 3-point shot. The ball rattled inside the rim before bouncing away to a Buffaloes rebounder. Kendsey Johnson responded with a trey for Republic County, and instead of a tie, the Trojans were down by 6 points, 21-27.

The exchange appeared to rattle the Trojans, who turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions and couldn’t cut the deficit below 7 points the rest of the way.

Hillsboro shot 33 percent from the field for the game and connected on just one 3-pointer.

Ratzlaff was the only Trojan to score in double-figures with 10 points, and Franz scored 7.

Hillsboro will play Sunrise Academy at 3 p.m. Friday at the Tabor College gym.