ASHLAND — The Ashland girls basketball team was able to rebound from a two-point first quarter but couldn’t complete the comeback bid in a close 47-45 loss to Thurston in the Midwestern League opener for both teams Friday night at Mountain Ave. Gymnasium.

Ashland (2-7, 0-1 MWL) trailed 10-2 after the first quarter but found itself down by four points in the final seconds of the contest. The Grizzlies failed to convert on two free throw attempts to cut it to a one-possession game and only got a layup as time expired to cut the Colts’ lead in half.

Abbey Lambert paced Ashland with 14 points, five assists and two steals, while Koura Sayre and Laine Carter each added eight points.

Mary Montgomery scored six points and pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds, while Loane Adaine had eight rebounds and a pair of assists for the Grizzlies.

Bailey Tovey scored a game-high 28 points to lead Thurston (6-6, 1-0), including all 11 of the Colts’ points in the second quarter.

THURSTON (47): Parker 0, Nelson 7, Bonar 0, Jones 0, Hall 10, Fields 0, Montes 2, Tovey 28, Nissen 0. Totals: 18 9-10 47.

ASHLAND (45): Montgomery 6, Sayre 8, Lambert 14, Caruso 0, Carter 8, Vara 5, Lundgen 2, Adaine 2, Losinski 0. Totals: 15 9-12 45.

Thurston10111214— 47

Ashland2131218— 45

3-point goals — Thurston 2 (Nelson 1, Tovey 1), Ashland 6 (Sayre 2, Lambert 1, Carter 2, Vara 1).

JV result — Thurston won.