COAL GROVE — They were loaded and ready to shoot, but someone substituted blanks.

Missing on close range shots early, Coal Grove fell behind and tried to rally in the second half as the Lady Hornets lost 50-45 to the Ashland (Ky.) Kittens Monday.

“We missed a bunch of shots at point blank range or that were wide open,” said Lady Hornets coach Nick Miller. “If we make some of those shots early, we don’t have to come back.”

Kim Strait hit a pair of 3-pointers and Laisha Ward scored 6 points in the first quarter to offset 6 points by Danielle Carpenter as Ashland look a 16-8 lead.

Coal Grove fell behind 26-17 at the half. Strait had 5 points in the third quarter to help offset 8 points by Chelsea Delong — she two trifectas — and the Kitters were up 36-29.

“I told the girls we had to make some plays and we got back in the game,” said Miller. “We didn’t quit and I was happy about that. We just ran out of time.

“We played better defense after the first quarter. Ashland has a pretty good team. A game like this has to help us in the long run.”

Delong led Coal Grove (2-2) with 14 points. Carpenter added 10 and Nance 9 points.

Ward and Strait scored 15 points each for Ashland (2-0).

The Lady Hornets host Chesapeake Thursday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Ashland16101014=50

Coal Grove891216=45

ASHLAND (2-0): Jordan Smith 1 0 1-3 3, Chelsea Dietrich 0 0 4-6 4, Nikisha Farrow 3 0 2-5 8, Kim Strait 1 3 4-4 15, Katelyn Connor 2 0 1-2 5, Laisha Ward 6 0 3-5 15, Becca Stevens 0 0 0-0 0, Amy Hanners 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 3 15-25 50. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.

COAL GROVE (2-2): Abby Nance 2 0 5-6 9, Kelli Grove 0 0 0-0 0, Keesha Wyatt 0 0 0-0 0, Brittany Harrison 1 0 0-2 2, Danielle Carpenter 3 0 4-4 10, Jordyn Cox 2 0 0-3 4, Taylor Sexton 3 0 0-0 6, Chelsea Delong 1 4 0-0 14. Totals: 12 4 9-15 45. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: None.