ARLINGTON — A 13-2 second-half run spelled doom for the Highland Christian girls basketball team in its Northwest 1B Conference opener.

A young Lady Knights team managed to keep pace with the physicality of the game with the Hawks, but ultimately lost 42-28 at the Arlington Boys & Girls Club, Dec. 14.

“We didn’t really execute in any category,” said Highland coach Steve Brown. “We’ve just got some young players that are jittery at times.”

The Lady Knights stayed with Heritage through most of the first half behind the play of Kayla Sytsma, who scored eight of her 12 points in the first half, knocking down midrange jump shots early.

“Every year she has just been improving, and now she has a real understanding of what we’re trying to do,” said Brown of Sytsma, a senior.

Highland trailed just 16-15 with three minutes remaining in the second half before Tulalip went on a 9-0 run to finish the half with a 25-15 lead.

In the second half, however, Tulalip pulled away with that 13-2 run as the play became faster and Highland had a more difficult time trying to play its slower tempo style.

“We struggled a little bit in trying to set the tempo,” said Brown. “And that just comes with experience. They’ll get it.”

The faster pace meant Tulalip shooters were able to find openings easier against a lesser-experienced defense.

Esther Brown had six points, and Jade Olin added five for the Knights, who drop to 2-2 so far this season with a 0-1 record in conference play.

Highland began its season with a win over North River, which was sandwiched between losses to Clallum Bay and Lummi.

The Knights will move on to play Grace Academy at 6 p.m., Jan. 4.