The Paschal Lady Panthers came up just short against Arlington Sam Houston Friday night, losing 42-40.

The Panthers (Overall 4-14, District 4-6A 1-10) got off to a fast start, with a three-pointer by Meaghan Conner within the first 30 seconds.

The Panthers scored 28 points in the first half. Head coach Roshawnda Lassiter was impressed with the team’s aggression on the floor tonight.

“That was a big deal, we came out ready to fight and ready to play,” Lassiter said. “That’s emotion I had not seen in a long time.”

However, the Panthers got into foul trouble early, forcing Lassiter to sit starters longer than she would have wanted.

“Great emotion and great fight can sometimes be a double-edged sword,” she said. “We played aggressive and amazing and then right off the top some key players got in foul trouble in the first half and we had to sit them out. That changed the entire flow of the game.”

The Texans (4-16, 2-10) answered the Panthers’ aggression in the second half, gradually chipping away at the Paschal lead.

Arlington Sam Houston gained their first lead of the night halfway through the fourth quarter. A late three-pointer by Ivy Beasley in the final seconds of the game was too little, too late.

Paschal will face Arlington Martin this Tuesday at home.