Lourdes opened Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play on Saturday afternoon, suffering a 61-53 setback to the University of Northwestern Ohio inside the Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center.
 
The Gray Wolves suffered a cold-shooting first half in falling behind to the Racers, and was not able to recover, despite a fourth quarter rally.
 
Lourdes shot just 17.6% (6-of-34) over the first two quarters, including a 0-for-14 effort from beyond the arc, falling behind 30-17 at the break.
 
The Racers pushed the lead to as many as 23 with 2:25 to play in the third, 47-24, following an 11-0 run.  Trailing by 19 with five minutes remaining in the game, Lourdes closed on a 15-4 spurt, making nine second half three-point attempts in the comeback effort.
 
Erica Cary (Central City, Ky./Muhlenberg County H.S.) led Lourdes with nine points while Shae Pedroza (Napoleon, Ohio/Napoleon H.S.), Leah Goodwin (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Reynoldsburg H.S.), Mary Liedel (Erie, Mich./Mason H.S.), and Addie Conroy (Cleveland, Ohio/Padua Franciscan H.S.) added eight points each.
 
The Gray Wolves finished the game shooting just 26.9% from the floor and were outrebounded by the Racers 51-41.
 
Jada Haines led Northwestern Ohio with 19 points while Tya Bell added 16 more.
 
Lourdes (1-4, 0-1 WHAC) and Northwestern Ohio (3-1, 1-1) will meet each other again next Saturday afternoon, as the Gray Wolves travel to Lima, Ohio to complete the season series.  Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. inside of Racer Gymnasium.