SEARCY, Ark. (LP) – In the opening minutes of Searcy’s home matchup with Lakeside on Thursday, the Lady Lions could do no wrong.

Despite a sloppy start by both teams, a 9-0 Searcy run out of the gates seemed to set the tone for what had the potential to be Searcy’s fifth consecutive victory inside Lion Arena.

Unfortunately – and as Searcy found out – basketball games aren’t decided in the opening minutes. Lakeside closed the gap down to six by the end of the quarter, and a buzzer-beating three to close the first half gave the Lady Rams a 24-21 advantage as the teams went to the locker room.

Chip Johnson scored 13 points in the first half, with her three three-point baskets being the reason Searcy found itself within striking distance at the break.

In the second half, however, it was Lakeside who turned up the wick from downtown. Whenever Searcy managed to score, Lakeside always seemed to have an answer. Poor free throw shooting also plagued the Lady Lions in the second half, with Searcy’s missed free throws only being exacerbated by Lakeside’s ability to knock down its shots at the foul line.

In the waning moments of the contest, clutch free throws from Lakeside essentially sealed the game. A three-pointer from Johnson fell harmlessly to the ground at the horn, and Lakeside walked away with a 56-50 victory in enemy territory.

Johnson led Searcy with 24 points on the evening.

The Lady Lions (5-7) suffered their first home loss since a Nov. 23 setback against Greenwood. Lakeside (5-4) will travel to White Hall on Dec. 17 seeking its second consecutive road win.