The Pella Christian girls basketball team’s regional playoff game started out solidly against No. 11 Van Meter, but lights-out shooting from the Bulldogs and offensive struggles down the stretch plagued the Eagles in their 54-34 road loss Tuesday night.

Pella Christian played a stifling press to start in the Class 2A postseason game heard live on 92.1 KRLS, as they forced six Van Meter turnovers to lead 12-7 after the first eight minutes. But a 25 point 2nd period behind six three-point shots by the Bulldogs gave them a double digit lead they would never let go of.

Head Coach Kevin Van Maanen says the girls may have played their best first quarter of the year, but simply couldn’t keep up with the relentless shooters of Van Meter, who finished with 11 made shots from beyond the arc.

The Eagles were led by nine points and eight rebounds from Isabella Baugh, who made her first deep shot of the season, and seven from Natalie Vos, who also nabbed three steals.

The girls finish the 2016 campaign at 8-15, and say farewell to senior Kelsey Hoffman.