WABASH – A slow first half proved costly to the Tippecanoe Valley girls basketball team Saturday night.

The Vikings trailed by 14 points at halftime en route to losing 56-44 at Wabash in the Three Rivers Conference opener.

Wabash led 16-8 after the opening period and 28-14 at intermission en route to the win. The Apaches have won four in a row to improve to 6-1 overall on the season.

Freshman Anne Secrest led Valley with 12 points and eight rebounds. The Vikings have lost three in a row to drop to 3-3 overall.

Cara Hoffman netted nine points and freshman Meredith Brouyette added eight for the Vikings.

Valley was 16-49 from the field and just 9-18 from the free throw line in the loss.

Lyndsie Thomas had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Kyleigh Hampton had 14 points and 11 rebounds to lead Wabash to the TRC win. Sarah Puckett had 10 points for the hosts.

Wabash shot 19-51 from the field, including just 1-11 on 3-point tries. The hosts hit a huge 17-19 from the free throw line in the win.

Tippecanoe Valley plays at Triton Wednesday. Wabash plays at Warsaw Tuesday night.