The Hillsboro girls’ basketball team didn’t win in three tries during the Moundridge tournament this past week, but played tough in Friday’s 41-36 loss to Moundridge.

After a blowout 57-37 loss to Lyons in the opener and a 35-30 loss to Inman, the Trojans got off to a good start against the Wildcats, taking a 4-2 lead when Alex Ratzlaff scored on an 8-foot pull-up jumper. Hillsboro faltered when Moundridge stepped up its defensive pressure, committing numerous turnovers that the Wildcats turned into a 9-5 lead.

After Callie Linnens cut the Wildcats’ lead to 15-17 on a baseline bucket, Hillsboro squandered an opportunity to tie with another turnover. The Wildcats held a 21-17 advantage at the half.

Hillsboro got baskets from Ratzlaff and Darcy Heinrichs to pull within two, 23-21, with just under 6 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Hillsboro mustered only three points the rest of the quarter on a free throw by Linnens and a basket by Ratzlaff. Moundridge carried a 33-26 lead into the fourth quarter.

Ratzlaff outscored Moundridge 10-8 in the final period, but she was the only Hillsboro player to score, as the Trojans went down to defeat 41-36. She led all scorers with 25 points, and has led the Trojans in scoring all four games this season.

Hillsboro shot 39 percent from the field and 50 percent from the free-throw line, and won the rebound battle 25-19.

The Trojans, now 1-3, are on the road again Friday at Remington.