three-game stretch against Eastern Cloverbelt ….

three-game stretch against Eastern Cloverbelt contenders at 1-2 with a 52-39 loss at Loyal, who won both regular-season games against Gilman this season.

The Greyhounds won this one in the first half, riding Remi Geiger’s 19 points to a 34-16 halftime lead. Geiger hit a trio of 3-pointers in the half and Bailey Bravener hit two more while scoring eight points for Loyal in the half.

“The Loyal game was rough,” Tammy Weir said. “We got off to a slow start and just couldn’t gain any ground back after getting down by 10.”

Behind eight points apiece from Warner and Grace Grunseth, Gilman outscored the Greyhounds 23-18 in the second half. Grunseth had another game of outstanding shooting, making seven of eight shots from the field on her way to 15 points. She added six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Warner finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, two blocked shots and a steal.

Emma Grunseth had seven points, including Gilman’s only 3-pointer of the night, and four rebounds. Tatum Weir scored five points and led the team with 11 rebounds.

The Pirates were 17 of 47 overall from the field while Loyal was 20 of 47. The big difference was from 3-point range, where Loyal was seven of 17 and the Pirates made one of nine. Gilman had a big 40-21 edge in rebounds.

Geiger finished with 24 points for the Greyhounds, Bravener had eight and Tylee Brecht scored seven.

“Our turnover numbers (18) weren’t the best, but we were able to force Loyal into 14 turnovers,” Tammy Weir said. “Geiger shot lights out the first half, but we were able to hold her to only five points in the second half, so we did a great job on defense in the half. We just couldn’t catch up.”