RACINE, Ohio — The Southern girls basketball team dropped its sixth straight decision of the season Monday night during a 65-53 setback to visiting Belpre in a Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division matchup at Charles W. Hayman Gymnasium in Meigs County.

The host Lady Tornadoes (1-8, 1-5 TVC Hocking) never led in the contest, as the Lady Golden Eagles (8-2, 6-1) stormed out to a 12-9 edge after eight minutes of play. BHS followed with a 24-15 surge in the second canto to establish a 36-24 advantage at the intermission.

Southern countered with a 17-16 run in the third stanza to pull within 40-32 headed into the finale, but the guest closed regulation on a 13-12 spurt to wrap up the 12-point decision.

Courtney Thomas led SHS with a game-high 15 points, followed by Celestia Hendrix with 12 points and Jordan Huddleston with 11 markers. Jessica Riffle added four points, while Angie Eynon, Emily Ash and Sarah Lawrence each chipped in three markers.

Brittany Cogar rounded out the scoring with two points. Southern was 14-of-22 at the free throw line for 67 percent. Hendrix also had a team-high seven rebounds, while Thomas added seven assists.

Kelsey Lerch paced Belpre with 13 points, followed by Allison Flowers with 12 points and Lexus Cunningham with 11 markers. BHS was 19-of-36 at the charity stripe for 58 percent.

Southern returns to action Monday when it travels to Wahama for a TVC Hocking matchup at 6 p.m.