Ipswich split a pair of Lake Region Conference girls' prep basketball games last week, playing without the services of Kamryn Heinz, still out with a injury.

Ipswich came away with a 37-19 LRC victory in its season opener at Bowdle last Tuesday evening. The Lady Tigers indeed prevailed over Eureka-Bowdle in somewhat of a defensive battle. But the opponents' defense would then also help contribute to a 52-40 IHS girls' LRC loss last Friday at Langford Area. In that one, Ipswich only managed four points during the final quarter, enabling the Lions to pull away down the stretch.

Against E-B, though, Ipswich had signaled its intentions with a 12-4 first-quarter edge and the Lady Tigers went to the locker room at halftime with a similar eight-point cushion of 18-10 and again after three quarters led 22-14. But Ipswich outscored its hosts 15-5 in the final quarter to win going away.

Aleah Steger led scoring with 13 points, followed by Halle Heinz with 12 and Abby Grabowska also in double-figures with 10 points. Sydney Loken completed scoring with a basket.

Eureka-Bowdle was led by Grace Walz with 12 points.

Ipswich shot 17-58 from the floor and 3-9 at the line. And Eureka-Bowdle's corresponding numbers were 7-37 with one trey and 4-10 at the charity stripe.

Ipswich's 23-rebounding effort was led by Abby Grabowska with seven and Steger with five. Ipswich committed 18 turnovers; the Patriots, 31. Sixteen of those were IHS steals, led by Abby Grabowska with five and Steger with four. Ipswich also utilized 14 assists, paced by Halle Heinz with five and Loken with four.

Langford, meanwhile, edged Ipswich 14-12 in the opening quarter and the score was deadlocked at 24-24 at intermission. Ipswich then trailed 37-36, entering the decisive last eight minutes of play.

Ipswich was led by Halle Heinz with a game-high 21 points and she included five treys. But Ipswich's next high scorer was Abby Grabowska with six points that included a trey. Bailey Hammrich was next with three points courtesy of a trey. Tessa Kilber, Steger, Chesney Olivier and Loken each contributed two points and Lindsey Grabowska and Ashlee Thorson, each a free throw.

Langford got seven players into its scorebook, led by Mallory Miller with 17 points. Ady Dwight added 13 points.

Ipswich made 13 floor shots and included those seven treys and was 7-14 at the line. Langford countered with 22 accurate floor shots and included two treys. The hosts were 6-9 at the line.