ROCHESTER —Things couldn’t have started much better for the Blooming Prairie girls basketball team in the Section 1A West Division semifinals Monday.

And they couldn’t have ended much worse.

After scoring the first eight points of the game, No. 3 seeded BP (13-13 overall) struggled on its way to a 58-42 season ending loss to No. 2 seeded Faribault Bethlehem Academy (15-11 overall) in Mayo Civic Center Auditorium.

The Cardinals opened the second half with a 16-4 run that saw Kari Anne Nass knock down three three-pointers. From that point on, the Blossoms couldn’t get closer than 12.

“We’ve talked about playing complete games and playing a good half is about as far as we’ve ever gotten,” BP head coach John Worke said. “B.A.’s pressure was relentless and they were quicker than we were.”

BP trailed just 29-25 at the break after Erica Manske, who had 15 points and four rebounds, knocked down a three with 25 seconds left in the half. BP stayed close, despite shooting just two free throws compared to FBA’s 16 attempts from the line.

When FBA made a 10-0 run to respond to the Blossoms’ 8-0 start, FBA’s first eight points came from the charity stripe as BP went on a seven minute scoring drought.

“That first half was ridiculous,” Worke said. “I couldn’t believe it was a four-point game and I thought it was a great effort on our part. I thought since we came through and battled, we might be all right, but the first five minutes of the second half changed that.”

The biggest difference in the second half was turnovers. In the first half, each team had 19 turnovers, but in the second half BP had 18, while FBA had just eight turnovers.

“I think our guards got tired and we were getting nervous of the five-count and throwing the in-bounds pass too early,” Worke said.

The Blossoms dominated the first few minutes of the contest as they forced six turnovers in a two-minute span that led two breakaway hoops by Whitney Burt and breakaways for Erica Manske and Janelle Morem.

“We caught them off guard and we wanted to come out to a fast start. We came out fresh and were filling lanes and attacking the basket,” Worke said. “Then I think playing seven kids caught up with us at the end.”

BP will graduate five seniors — including Marie Morem, who had four points, six blocks and three assists Monday.

“I’m happy whenever we have a large group of seniors,” Worke said. “A lot of programs are lucky to have one or two kids finish with the program. I’m proud and I appreciate the effort they put into our program.”

Freshman Jessica Matthews led FBA, which will play No. 1 Goodhue Friday at 8 p.m. in Mayo Civic Center Arena, with 25 points.

BP 25 17 — 42

FBA 29 29 — 58

BP scoring: Erica Manske, 15; Whitney Burt, 10; Marie Morem, 4; Yasmine Smith, 4; Kelli Naatz, 2; Jordan Noble, 2; Janelle Morem, 2; Ashley Campbell, 2; free throws: 63 percent (5-for-8); rebounds: 30 (Smith, 8); turnovers: 37

FBA scoring: Jessica Matthews, 25; Kari Anne Nass, 16; Samantha McBain, 6; Maria Palmar, 3; Taryn Ashley, 3; Hana Palmer, 1; free throws: 59 percent (20-for-34); rebounds: 34 (Nass, 7); turnovers: 27