The Mathews High School varsity girls’ basketball team had a tough loss to start its 2017-2018 season, falling to the visiting Rappahannock Raiders, 53-46, on Monday night.

Both teams had slow starts in the first half, with Mathews holding a narrow 16-13 edge heading into the locker room. The Raiders caught fire in the opening minutes of the third quarter, pulling ahead and holding as much as a 10-point lead. Mathews came right back and challenged for the lead, with Rappahannock pulling ahead for good in the closing minute.

Senior center Yolanda Fells led the Lady Devils in scoring with 15 points, with sophomore guard Stacie Thomas ending the night with 13 points. Sophomore guard Ellie Armistead chipped in nine points, with Jade Davis (four points), Hannah Robins (three free throws) and Abbie Hudgins (two points) rounding out the scoring.

The junior varsity girls, meanwhile, fell to the Raiders, 18-8.

The MHS girls travel to Lancaster to compete against the Red Devils on Fr...