First game rust aside, both the Lady Brave and Braves left Cheyenne East High School knowing that they could have walked out the winners.

The Lady Thunderbirds used a double-digit margin in the first half to outlast the Lady Braves despite 21 points from senior Randi Robinson.  The Lady Braves lost 46-40 on the T-Birds home floor after falling behind by as many as 15 points.  Kelsea Gardner chipped in eight points and nine rebounds in the defeat.

The Lady Braves tip off against the Laramie Lady Plainsmen on Friday afternoon.

The Braves flip-flopped the lead five times with the T-Birds before the home squad finally found the range from the three-point line.  Jerel Rote hit two fourth quarter three point baskets while sophomore Nikko Johnson scored all 12 of his points in the second half as East defeated the Braves, 61-54.  Rote led the team with 13 points.

Brandon Taylor overcame a shaky first quarter to finish with a game-high 19 points.  David Cranford contributed ten points while Brock Gardner pulled down seven rebounds to go with four points.  James Bowers scored six points and collected three steals while junior Josh Hunsaker had six rebounds and seven points in his first start.

Both teams missed their fair share of free-throws and committed their share of fouls in a frenetic paced ball game.

The Braves have a full day to recover before they try and even their record against the Laramie Plainsmen on Friday evening.