Photo courtesy of Mark Evans Warren senior Emma Rarey, left, guards a Fairview player during Thursday’s basketball game at Warren Area High School.

The Warren girls basketball team hosted Fairview on Thursday evening and suffered a 45-28 setbabck.

Fairview got off to a hot start in the first quarter, scoring the first six points, but Peyton Wotorson would get the first Dragon bucket shortly after. A series of turnovers from both teams ended the first quarter with Fairview up 8-4. Wotorson started the second quarter with a 3-pointer followed by an Emma Roell free throw to tie the game 8-8. The freshmen duo of Molly Richards and Joanna Bennett would each chip in a bucket, but the Tigers’ tough defense and ability to convert on Warren turnovers had the Dragons down 21-15 heading into the half.

The third quarter kicked off with a series of Richards’ offensive rebounds that led to a Dragon bucket, but Fairview would quickly respond. Fairview ended the third quarter up 12, and would keep increasing that lead in the fourth en route to the win.

“I definitely think our defense is getting better,” Dragons head coach Jenny Phillips said. “(Wotorson) played a great game containing their best player, but we still need to work on making sure we are in our gaps and in help if a teammate needs it. But, overall, much better since the start of the season. We have to make better decisions on the offensive end and be more patient. Everyone wants to score as quick as possible, and working to break down the defense will get us better looks.

“I also need five people who want to score, and it hurts us when one person isn’t an offensive threat. It’s certainly not the start of the season I was envisioning, but I know each game we get better, no matter the outcome. It’s just hard as a coach to see how bad the girls want it, but fall a little short. We will get there, we just have to be patient.”

Wotorson led all scorers with 12 points, Joanna Bennett had 6, Molly Richards 4, Emma Roell 4, and Peyton Hagg 2. The Tigers had two scorers in double digits in Tess Trudrowski with 11, and Paige Garrity with 10.

Warren is at home on Monday when it entertains Eisenhower Knights for a county clash. This is a 6 p.m. junior varsity start with varsity to follow at 7:15 p.m.