PENDLETON — The La Grande girls opened the basketball season with a trip to Pendleton to join three teams at the Red Lion Tournament, Dec. 1-2.

The Tiger girls opened the tournament and the season with a loss to a team from across the line in Washington. Clarkston poured in the baskets and downed La Grande, 70-26.

Clarkston led from the start, putting in 24 points in the first quarter and led La Grande 37-12 at the half.

Both Kayle Collman and Rowan Evans had seven points in the loss to lead the Tigers.

Day two proved to be better for the Tigers, as La Grande pushed past St. Helens, 55-44, to pick up the first victory of the year.

La Grande started this game off with a 12-point first quarter and added 10 points in the second quarter to lead at halftime by the slim margin of 22-20. After a 14-point third quarter, La Grande came alive in the final eight minutes with 19 points to pull away for the win.

Maezie Wilcox led all scorers in the game with 21 points, 11 of those coming in the fourth quarter. Collman added nine points and Peyton Daggett ended her day with eight points.

La Grande (1-1 overall) gives the home fans their first glimpse of the team on Dec. 4 hosting 3A Nyssa (1-0 overall). Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.