HOLLIDAYSBURG — After a slow first half, State College rallied but could come all the way back in a 53-45 loss to Hollidaysburg on Saturday afternoon.

The Lady Tigers leaped to a 31-20 lead by halftime, then held off the Lady Little Lions’ attempted rally with an 8-for-11 performance from the foul line in the fourth quarter. State College never drew closer than five points down in the fourth quarter.

“I thought we were in good shape,” State College coach Bethany Irwin. “I knew the first half was their strength, and the second half was not their strength, and I also knew the second half was our strength. We could not buy a bucket in the first half, but we kept chipping away at it.”

Kyla Irwin led the rally with 12 of her game-high 20 points in the final eight minutes. Jenna Altomare added 10 points for the Lady Little Lions (9-2).

Courtney Storm’s 19 points, including four 3-pointers, led the Lady Tigers (9-0), while Caroline Ellis and Morgan Griffith each netted 12 points.

State College, which battles Altoona on Wednesday, got its first look at one of the teams to beat when the District 6 postseason rolls around at the end of February.

“It was a good game for us,” said Bethany Irwin, whose team visits Cumberland Valley on Tuesday. “We only play them once, so now we have a chance to see them in the district playoffs. At least we have a game on them.”