The Kewanee Boiler Girls entered the Lady Bruin Christmas Classic Tuesday at Peru and suffered a 54-42 loss to the Putnam County Cougars.

The Boiler Girls struggled offensively in the first half of play, falling behind 34-16 at the half.

Maggie Richetta and Ava Hatton both scored in double figures to lead the Cougars in the first half. Richetta scored 12 and Hatton added 10.

Tejhiana Amos had seven first half points for the Boiler Girls.

Kewanee’s offensive output increased in the second half as the Boiler Girls outscored Putnam County 26-20 (16-7 in the fourth quarter), but the Cougars mounted a 21-point lead after three quarters of play.

Kewanee clawed their way back to within 12 in the fourth quarter, but Putnam County rode out the 54-42 win.

Amos added seven second half points for Kewanee and Damaris Diaz chipped in with six. Hatton scored nine more for the Cougars and Richetta had six more.

Hatton and Richetta scored 19 and 18 points, respectively, for Putnam County. Amos had 14 for the Boiler Girls and Diaz contributed 10 for the 3-10 Boiler Girls. The Cougars move to 14-4 on the season.

Kewanee will continue tourney play Wednesday at 11:30 am against a tough 12-1 Serena squad. They play again at 2:30 pm against Fieldcrest (9-5).

*In their second game of the day, Putnam County lost to Serena 36-21.