Although it was the closest they’ve come to win all year, the Lyle/Pacelli girls basketball team couldn’t get close enough in a 55-48 loss to the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf in Pacelli Gym Monday.

MSAD (10-4 overall) scored eight straight points to make it 18-10 early in the first half, and Lyle/Pacelli (0-15 overall) never got closer than six the rest of the way.

While the Athletics trailed by as many as 12 in the first half, they pulled to within 42-35 after Emily Rsyavy scored on a breakaway with 10:44 left in the game. But MSAD scored the next seven points to go up 49-35.

“We couldn’t get over that hump,” L/P head coach Brad Walter said. “We were trying to pressure the ball and force some turnovers, and that gave them some easy looks.”

L/P closed the game with a 7-2 run as Dani Felten hit a baseline three with 40 seconds left in the game to make it 55-48. But the Athletics wouldn’t score again.

MSAD’s Kristen Pudas hurt the Athletics with 29 points on the night.

“There were times when we had a hand in her face,” Walter said.

MSAD 32 23 — 55

L/P 23 25 — 48

L/P scoring: Breanna Bartholomew, 17; Dani Felten, 12; Emily Rysavy, 8; Brianna Cook, 7; Schyler Douglas, 3; Ashley Hinz, 1; free throws: 50 percent (8-for-16)

MSAD scoring: Kirsten Pudas, 29; Jenny Smith, 8; Cindy Siebert, 8; Taryn Phillippi, 8; Megan Laughlin, 2; free throws: 33 percent (4-for-12)