A patchwork lineup held its own in the first half, but Wolverines fell off the pace in the second, as Bear Creek steadily took command to clinch a 43-30 victory, Saturday, in Turnbull Gym.

Playing short-handed in its home opener, Friday Harbor (0-3) scored 12 points in the opening half and limited the 2B Grizzlies to 19 to stay within striking distance at the break.

Junior post-player Tabatha Keane tossed in six and Kendra Meeker added four, combining on 10 of the Wolverines 12 first-half points.

The Grizzles struck with a 12-6 in the third to take a commanding lead, and traded baskets down the stretch to seal the win. Bear Creek’s Kristina Englestone scored 12 of her game-high 19 points after the half, and 6-foot 2-inch freshman center Catherine Fernandez tallied 10 points. Keane tallied a team-high 12 for Friday Harbor.

With the loss, the Wolverines, hampered by early season ineligibility and injuries, fell to 0-3 overall and, following a 44-25 defeat at Orcas, Dec. 7, fell to 0-1 in league.

Next

The Wolverines host Concrete Tuesday (6 p.m.), Dec. 11, in a Northwest 1A/2B League contest. They face Tacoma Baptist, Friday, and Naselle, Saturday, in back-to-back games at La Conner High School. Friday Harbor is at home to face divisional 1A rival Mount Baker, Dec. 28, tip off is 4:30 p.m.

— Scott Rasmussen