The Southland girls basketball team showed some big signs of improvement, but it ended up on the short end of the scoreboard in a 73-64 loss to Caledonia (14-7 overall, 11-2 Three Rivers) in Adams Friday.

The Rebels (6-12 overall, 6-9 Three Rivers) were within 24-20 early in the game when the Warriors closed the first half on a 16-7 spurt. Southland was able to get back within single digits in the second half.

“I was really proud of the effort tonight,” Southland head coach Dean Bendtsen said. “The girls played really strong early on and then we lost a three-point shooter a couple of times and just like that were down by 13 at the half. We always have just one negative spurt and if I knew when they were coming I would call a timeout.”

Caledonia 40  33  —  73

Southland 27  37  —  64

Southland scoring: McKendry Kenendy, 20; Kaysie Allen, 18; Gabby Smith, 10; Allison Bottema, 7; Brianna Johnson, 4; Kassidy Kirtz, 3; Lexi Smith, 2; free throws 37 percent (7-for-19)