HARRISBURG – The Huron Tigers went toe-to-toe with one of the taller teams in the state Saturday afternoon, playing a tight defensive game, but dropping a tough 40-36 decision to the Harrisburg Tigers at the Harrisburg High School Gymnasium.

Harrisburg moves to 4-2 with the win while Huron falls to 2-5.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, as there were seven lead changes and three ties in the first quarter alone. Lizzy Heinen gave Huron its first lead of the game, at 2-0, after more than a minute and a half had elapsed from the clock.

Harrisburg got a bucket from Makinley Lawrenson and another from Addy Wagner to take its first lead of the contest and a basket and free throw by Heinen put Huron back on top.

The up and down continued into the final minute, as Lawrenson stepped outside and drained a three as the clock rolled past the one minute mark, but Huron shook Hamtyn Heinz loose in the left corner and she hit a tying three that sent the teams to the second quarter knotted at 12-all.

Huron got a pair of free throws from Kenzie Siemonsma and a layup from Heinen on a sweet pass from Heinz. Heinen, however, would pick up her second foul with 6:18 to play and was forced to spend the remainder of the half on the Huron bench.

Harrisburg responded with a basket from Abigail Flanagan, then Jaylee Hofer put H-burg back on top with a three pointer. Heinz converted defense into offense, making a steal at the free throw line and driving the length of the court for a layup, putting Huron back on top, 18-17. Flanagan scored on a put-back, which was countered by a nice shot from Hylton Heinz.

Harrisburg got two quick baskets from Flanagan, however, and took a 23-21 lead to the halftime break.

The back-and-forth action continued in the second half, as neither team was able to forge a lead of greater than four points. Hamtyn Heinz hit two free throws to tie the score yet again, although seconds later Heinen picked up her third personal foul.

Huron upped its defensive pressure in its 2-3 zone and forced a prayer three-pointer from Mehrman as the shot clock expired, which was answered. Hamtyn Heinz countered seconds later, but Mehrman dialed long distance again as the teams threw haymakers back and forth.

Hamtyn Heinz hit two more free throws and Siemonsma hit one of two, but Flanagan hit a short runner in the lane and Harrisburg took a 31-29 lead to the final period.

Heinen returned to play, earning a basket on a nice feed from Hylton Heinz and when Hamtyn Heinz made a steal and led Aly Davis perfectly for a layup, Huron forged a 33-33 tie. Lawrenson took a feed in the lane and converted, however Hamtyn Heinz hit from distance moments later and Huron led 36-35, with 2:40 to play in the quarter.

Addy Wagner countered with a short shot second later to put Harrisburg back on top, 37-36 and Huron was whistled for a foul on the next H-burg possession, and watched Hofer hit one of two to go to put Harrisburg up two, 38-36 with 19 ticks on the clock.

Huron moved the ball up court and attempted to set up a play for Hamtyn Heinz but an offensive foul call ended the day for Huron as Wagner hit both free throws for the final 40-36 score.

Hamtyn Heinz led all scorers with 15 points and Heinen scored nine in limited action.

Lawrenson scored 11 and Flanagan added 10 for Harrisburg.

Harrisburg won the JV matchup, 39-26.

Huron returns to action on Tuesday, traveling to Mitchell to take on the Kernels at the Corn Palace.

Huron         12 21 29 36
Harrisburg         12 23 31 40

HURON (2-5): Hamtyn Heinz 4 4-4 15; Hylton Heinz 1 0-0 2; Lizzy Heinen 4 1-1 9; Kenzie Siemonsma 1 4-6 6; Allison Janes 1 0-0 2; Aly Davis 1 0-0 2. Totals: 12 9-11 36.

HARRISBURG (4-2): Makinley Lawrenson 5 0-1 11; Jaylee Hofer 1 1-2 4; Sadie Mehrman 3 0-0 9; Abigail Flanagan 5 0-2 10; Addy Wagner 2 2-2 6. Totals: 16 3-7 40.