The Northside women’s basketball battled but came up short against on Saturday against East Carteret, 60-50.

Throughout the matchup, the Mariners continuously capitalized in transition, keeping the Panthers on the run and sinking open looks when available.

“We’ve been working on transition for the last two or three weeks,” said Head Coach Michelle Leathers. “I keep telling them, when you get to half court you need to turn around. We’ve been working on transition and free throws, but that’s what cost us tonight.”

Floor leader Alex Adams kept the Panthers in the game by giving maximum effort in the matchup-zone defensive scheme and draining four first-half three-pointers. Adams finished with a team-high 19 points.

“We depend on her,” said Leathers. “When she’s out of the game, that’s other players’ opportunity to step up. That’s what she wants, everybody to step up. She wants everybody to be successful. Without her, we wouldn’t have the leadership we need on the floor.”

East Carteret’s LaShaundra Rogers, who is averaging a cool 18.6 points per game, was the Panthers kryptonite on offense. She conducted the Mariners’ fast-paced offensive tempo and shot a high percentage from the field. Rogers finished with a game-high 21 points.

Towards the end of the third quarter, the Mariners began to lag on the offensive front, allowing junior Kelsey Lang and senior Cheyenne Franks opportunities to string together points via mid-range jumpers and layups.

“We need to get out and play, put our heart into the game,” said Leathers. “The third quarter is usually not our best quarter, and I didn’t think it was a good quarter tonight. If we don’t play the third quarter, they kind of put us in a hard place.”

Down four with two minutes remaining, the Panthers were unable to hit key free throws to chip away at the lead.

Northside will try to avoid losing two in a row when the team hits the road to face rival Southside on Thursday.