Dropping seven of their last eight games, the Lady Bobcats moved to 9-13 after falling 59-53 to Cumberland Gap, Tennessee on the road Monday.

“We waited too late to start playing with energy,” said Bell County coach David Teague. “We have to play each and every minute of the game with energy.”

Abby Harris led the way for the Lady Cats with 19 points, followed by Abigail Cornett with 16. Kayli Hinckley led the way for the Lady Panthers with 14. Abbie Fultz finished the night with 12.

Bell County started the game sluggish on offense, scoring only 23 points in the first half. The Lady Panthers’ offense totaled 31 points in the first half to take an eight-point lead into the locker room, 31-23.

Bell County was outscored in each quarter of the game except for the fourth. By the time the Lady Cats started to gain momentum and close in on the Lady Panthers, the game was over and Cumberland Gap posted a six-point victory.

“We got down and it was late in the game before we started playing with any energy. It’s been a concern for us in the last few games,” said Teague. “We’re going to keep working hard. We have some big district games coming up, and we are going to have to get ourselves focused-in and ready for those.”

Bell County is in action against in-county rival Middlesboro, at Middleboro, on Friday at 6 p.m. Cumberland Gap is taking on their in-county rival Claiborne on Friday at 6 p.m.

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Bell County (9-13) (53) — Abby Harris 19, Abigail Cornett 16, Ashtyn Meyers 6, Ashley Middleton 5, Sara Kidwell 3, Mackenzie Griffin 2, Nadine Johnson 2.

Cumberland Gap (59) — Kayli Hinckley 14, Abbie Fultz 12, Tabitha Roy 11, Emma Brooks 7, Mataya Ausmus 4, Nevaeh Kerns 4, Kylie Fultz 4, Hannah Heath 3.