ABOVE: Granada-Huntley-East Chain-Truman-Martin Luther's Londyn Bowers dribbles the ball up the court in the second half against Dawson-Boyd Friday afternoon at the Holiday Classic tournament in Marshall at Southwest Minnesota State University. Bowers finished with 15 points in the Jaguars' 56-48 loss. Photo by Samantha Davis/The Marshall Independent.

MARSHALL — In a close matchup that didn’t see more than an 8-point difference, the Granada-Huntley-East Chain-Truman-Martin Luther girls basketball team fell to Dawson-Boyd 56-48 at the Holiday Classic Tournament at Southwest Minnesota State University on Friday.

Keira Benck and Londyn Bowers led GHEC-T-ML with 15 points apiece.

The Blackjacks overall shot 32% from the field, while the Jaguars shot 31% from the field. Both teams had a 28% 3-point shooting mark.

After fighting a slow start, both teams started to heat up off one another toward the end of the first half and it remained close the entire way through. Although the Blackjacks and Jaguars struggled with steals and travel calls, it was Dawson-Boyd that was able to pull away in the final minutes behind effective perimeter shooting.

A pressing difference between the two teams heading into Friday was roster experience. The Blackjacks hold its lone senior in Lindsey Lund and three juniors, supported with a large group of sophomores and freshmen.

The Jaguars on the other hand, have an older roster made entirely of juniors and seniors.

Dawson-Boyd’s freshman Stratmoen was an offensive spark throughout the game, and kept the Blackjacks within reach when the Jaguars would go on small runs.

Stratmoen got the action started with a fast break layup off a steal for the day’s first points, but Harley Geistfeld for GHEC-T-ML immediately hit a 3-pointer off the right wing in response.

Estling drew the And-1 on an offensive putback for the Blackjacks, and made the free throw. But again, Bowers for the Jaguars followed up with another 3 for the early 7-5 lead.

Both teams struggled with a handful of travelling calls in the half, but neither was able to grab more than a 6-point lead.

After a few minutes of a scoring drought, Bowers got a steal and went up for the open layup for GHEC-T-ML, which she did on a few occasions.

Estling was able to respond with a jump shot in the middle of the land to bring the score back within one possession at 9-7.

The Blackjacks began to find some momentum with a 3-pointer from Lund, and back-to-back shots from Swedzinski to take the 15-12 lead after the Jaguars went on another short run.

A 3-pointer from the Jaguars’ Josie Moeller tied the game up at 15, continuing to showcase a competitive back-and-forth matchup.

Stratmoen hit a 3-pointer to give Dawson-Boyd a 5-point edge, yet Benck hit back-to-back 3’s for GHEC-T-ML to take back a 25-22 advantage.

As the clock was running down to close out the half, Swedzinski got involved on the 3-point action with a make of her own and the Blackjacks went into the locker room with a 30-28 lead.

The second half also remained within reach, with both teams unable to break away.

Bowers continued to run the Jaguars’ offense, and collected a few crucial steals that converted to points.

A 3-pointer from GHEC-T-ML’s Moeller tied the game up at 39, halting a short Dawson-Boyd run.

In the game’s final minutes, Dawson-Boyd was able to break away with a 51-46 lead with just over two minutes to go.

Bowers made a field goal in the low post with 40 seconds to go to cut into a 54-48 trail.

Stratmoen grabbed one more steal on the day on a long pass attempt, which helped to seal the victory as the Blackjacks kept the ball as shot clock ran down.

GHEC-T-ML (4-5) will play again today in the second day of the tournament, and face Renville County West (3-6) at 11 a.m. at SMSU’s R/A Facility.