BLOOMING PRAIRIE — The Awesome Blossoms couldn’t match the strength of a more experienced Byron team as BP lost 52-38 in a girls basketball game Thursday.

The Awesome Blossoms (3-6 overall) have now been held under 40 points in their last three contests — which have all been losses.

“I think it becomes a physical issue and we get bullied around sometimes,” BP head coach John Worke said. “We just need to get stronger.”

BP fell behind 31-21 early in the second half but it closed to within 31-26 when Sara Noble hit a three and Shelbi Swenson knocked down a jumper with 12 minutes left in the game.

Byron (8-2 overall) bounced back when Vanessa Anderson got free for a breakaway lay-up and Becky Murry drilled a three to push it back to 36-26. BP never got closer than six the rest of the way.

Part of BP’s problem was that their freshman center Taylor Hagen had a tough matchup in Byron senior center Erika McRoberts. Both players are 6-feet tall, but McRoberts was much more physical as she finished with 18 points and nine rebounds and held Hagen to eight points and six rebounds.

“It’s good to go against more experienced girls, because it makes you better,” Hagen said. “We’re learning a new offense and I think it’s progressing and getting better as the season goes along. We’re learning more layers of it.”

BP had the game at the pace it wanted for most of the first half as the Swenson tied the game at 16 with a free throw. But the Bears finished the first half on a 6-1 run over the last three minutes to take a 22-17 lead to the break.

“We didn’t finish (the half) very well,” Worke said. “I think they were just stronger with their cuts and screens and I think it wears on you trying to fight through that flex offense for 45 seconds and then going and trying to play offense.”

Jenna Krell had eight points for BP and Madison Worke had two points, four rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots.

Byron 22 30 — 52

BP 17 21 — 38

BP scoring: Taylor Hagen, 8; Jenna Krell, 8; Shelbi Swenson, 6; Sara Noble, 5; Kelli Naatz, 2; Madison Worke, 2; Julia Magnes, 2; Cortney Easton, 2; Jesaray Suazo, 2; Melanie Grant, 1; free throws: 52 percent (15-for-29); rebounds: 28 (Hagen, 6); turnovers: 21

Byron scoring: Erika McRoberts, 18; Brynne Stellner, 6; Abby Bisgard, 6; Ashley Sanneman, 6; Melissa Long, 5; Vanessa Anderson, 4; Danielle Adams, 4; Becky Murry, 3; free throws: 67 percent (10-for-15); rebounds: 36 (McRoberts, 9); turnovers: 18