Pleasant Grove’s girls basketball team is frustrated by growing pains. Genoa Central was responsible for the Hawks’ frustration Friday.

The Lady Hawks’ young squad lost to Genoa Central in the final seconds at Hawk Gym, 47-42.

Genoa scored the game’s final six points to erase the Hawks’ only lead after the first quarter.

“We needed this win, but I feel like we won by how much we’ve improved,” said Pleasant Grove coach Marsha Cowling. “I’m sure Genoa has some returning players. We don’t! All of my girls were on the junior varsity last year. Genoa has also been practicing or playing since August. I didn’t have all my girls until the end of October.

“We played a good game, and I wish we had come out on top. We’ll take this game and improve with it, an apply it to the next game.”

Genoa Central shot well from outside

The Lady Dragons were hitting their outside shots in the first half. They led 15-6 after the first quarter, and 23-15 at intermission.

Pleasant Grove battled back into contention behind the play of junior Peyton Mathews and sophomore Adi Koller in the final two quarters. Mathews led the Hawks’ offense with 10 points. Koller scored 7 of her 9 points in the final eight minutes. Sophomore Emma Henard swished a pair of 3-pointers and scored 8 points for PG.

Senior Donna Jo Rowe had four 3-pointers and led the Dragons with 14 points. Sophomore Gracie Fowler added 11 points.