The Kewanee Boiler Girls came up short in their season opener Saturday, losing 44-38 at the hands of Princeville during Brimfield Thanksgiving Tourney action. 

Kewanee dug themselves into an early hole, falling behind 14-4 at the end of the first quarter. Junior point guard Mya Dearing accounted for Kewanee’s first four points. 

Brianna Brodie led Princeville with 11 first-quarter points. 

The Boiler Girls rebounded with a big second quarter, scoring 14 and closing the gap to 18-22 at the half. Junior Tejhiana Amos drove the lane for six fast break points, Dearing added five more and senior Hannah Tiska tossed in a trey.

Princeville forward Paisley Schock scored six points from the wing spot. 

Kewanee outscored Princeville 10-8 in the third quarter, but they still trailed 30-24 heading into the fourth. Freshman Damaris Diaz had four in the frame, while Taylor VanWinkle, Dearing and Amos each had two. 

Brodie scored six of Princeville’s 14 fourth quarter points. 

Dearing and Diaz each added four more down the stretch and Tiska had two to round out the Kewanee scoring. 

Brodie led all scorers with 24 points for Princeville. Dearing topped Kewanee with 15, while Diaz and Amos each contributed eight. 

The Boiler Girls are 0-1 on the season and Princeville improves to 2-1. Kewanee will return to Elmwood Wednesday to take on Elmwood (1-1) at 11 a.m.