LINN — Linn had a rough start in a 61-38 loss to St. Elizabeth in Friday’s opener.

“A tough shooting first half was hard to overcome,” said Coach Caleb Thomas, noting the team shot 10% from the field in the first half (4-38). “We didn’t attack the paint quite as much as we wanted in both halves.”

By intermission, the Lady Cats trailed 25-11, but in the second half, Linn came out and shot much better, playing the Lady Hornets pretty even through the second half.

After an 18-13 third quarter, Linn trailed 43-24, but won the fourth, 14-11.

Jorja Kempker drained three treys on her way to nine points, while Nicole Grellner added two three-pointers as part of her nine-point effort. Kenzy Hackmann went 2-4 from long range and finished with eight points, as Paige Senevey put in four, and Brandt scored two. Hackmann and Grellner posted three assists apiece, and Heslie Higginbotham and Kempker each dished it once.

Thomas was pleased with the team’s rebounding effort as the Lady Cats won that battle, 43-28.

“The girls did a really good job on the glass,” said Thomas.

Carley Brandt led with eight rebounds, followed by Senevey and Higginbotham (5 each), Hackmann and Kempker (4 apiece), Grellner (3), and Brynlee Furgeson (1).

Defensively, Higgs posted a block and four steals, and Senevey had a block and a steal.