TUALATIN — The Centennial girls basketball team battled back from a 10-point deficit late in the third quarter, but couldn’t quite pull even during a 61-52 loss at Tualatin in the first round of the 6A playoffs Tuesday.

The Eagles got back into contention by hitting their first three shots of the fourth quarter and closed it down to a single possession twice down the stretch. A steal in the backcourt gave Centennial a chance to tie the score with about three minutes left, but a baseline jumper bounced off the rim.

Tualatin sealed the victory by hitting all four of its free throws in the final minute.

The Mount Hood Conference went 1-4 in the first round with league champion St. Mary's earning the only win — 68-53 over Sunset.

Look for expanded game coverage in the Friday, March 7, print edition.

View a photo gallery from the game at …

http://daveball.exposuremanager.com/g/march4_centennial-tualatin_girls_hoops