The Southland girls basketball team hung around with the No. 4 ranked team in Class AA in the first half, but it couldn’t keep it going as it lost 64-47 to Plainview-Elgin-Millville (18-2 overall, 13-0 Three Rivers) on the road Friday.

The Rebels (6-10 overall, 6-7 Three Rivers) led for spurts in the first half and they trailed by seven points at the break. PEM opened the second half on a high note.

“It was a great first half. I think we surprised them a little bit,” Southland head coach Dean Bendtsen said. “The girls are just playing so scrappy all of the sudden and we’re taking better control of the ball.”

Southland 28  19  —  47

PEM 35  29  —  64

Southland scoring: Kaysie Allen, 14; McKendry Kennedy, 13; Lily Riddles, 8; Brianna Johnson, 5; Karina Vasquez, 3; Allison Bottema, 2; Gabby Smith, 2; free throws: 33 percent (4-for-12)