Leading Madison 14-9 at the end of the first, Pocatello opened the second quarter with what seemed like a back-breaking 3-pointer from junior Paige Durrant.

    But the Indians would score just one more point that half and despite a solid effort in the third, fell to the Bobcats 50-40 Thursday night at the Palace.

    “Madison picked up the intensity and and times we were outhustled,” said Pocatello head coach Laraine Cook. “They took advantage of that and it was a different game.”

    Pocatello jumped out to the early lead thanks to a well-rounded scoring effort where five players recorded points. Senior Allie Parker and junior Brooke Pierce led the way with four apiece in the first quarter.

    But it was all Madison from that point on as the Bobcats forced the home team into mistakes, rebounded well and made their shots.

    It seemed the Indians did the opposite.

    “We got a bit sloppy with the ball and our passes,” Cook said. “At times there were some good moments, and times there were some bad moments.”

    Bridgette Blair became a monster down low as she outscored the Indians herself with 13 points in the first half, eight coming in the second.

    “She is a really good player,” Cook said. “She’s an athletic kid and had a great night.”

    Cook did see improvement in her team compared to its last game against Burley, specifically in team shooting. The Indians were hot and cold from the field whereas against Burley they were just cold.

    “We shot terrible at Burley,” she said. “It was better tonight. It was there, it just needs to be more consistent.”

    Pocatello steadied the ship after a poor second quarter. Durrant began the period with another three as the Indians hung with the Bobcats and stayed within four points, trailing 35-31.

    But Madison’s depth proved to be too much in the fourth. The game turned into a free throw contest, and the Bobcats were clutch.

    Durrant scored a team-high 12 points for Pocatello, all from 3-point range. Pierce and Danielle Jorgensen added seven apiece while Allie Parker pitched in six.

    The Indians (1-4) will travel to Idaho Falls on Saturday to battle the Hillcrest Knights. Tipoff for that contest is at 7:30 p.m.