The Carson High girls basketball team continued to show improvement, but again just came up short in a 43-38 loss to Pioneer Valley in the Morro Bay (Calif.) Tournament on Thursday.
In Pioneer Valley, Carson almost rallied to beat one of the California Central Coast's largest schools. But the Senators couldn't overcome their offensive struggles in the second and third quarters.
The Senators (0-5) trailed 17-13 after one quarter, but were outscored 10-2 in the second quarter and 8-5 in the third quarter to fall behind 35-20. Carson also couldn't overcome a huge advantage at the foul line for Pioneer Valley.
Carson shot well from the line, hitting 7-of-8. But Pioneer Valley was 15-of-23, including 5-of-10 in the fourth quarter when it was able to hold off the Senators.
"We played a very good game," Carson coach Todd Ackerman said. "We just had a hard time putting the ball in the basket again."
Still, Carson almost rallied in the fourth quarter, pulling to within 40-36 with about 1 minute, 30 seconds left. Pioneer Valley missed the front end of a one-and-one, but it grabbed the rebound and after Carson fouled, it hit both free throws to take a 42-36 lead.
"We were really rolling, too," said Ackerman about his team's play before that sequence that helped Pioneer Valley put the game away.
Gina Bianchi scored 14 points, Chrisy Works had six points and Elayna Shine added five points for Carson, which plays again at 5 p.m. today.