The Taylorville girls basketball team lost by a wide margin to Alton 74-43 on Thursday night.  The Redbirds showed the offensive prowess that sent them to third place at the 4A level last season. 

The Tornadoes started the game well, gaining multiple leads on Alton thanks to key scores from Nora Thomas.  Only four minutes in did the away side begin to find its footing.  Three threes from Madeleine Ducey set her team away.  Their winning margins after each quarter were 7, 13, 27, and 31. 

Both teams struggled to take care of the ball, but especially so for Taylorville.  They can, however, hang their hats on scoring 43 points against a team which had conceded that many only once in their previous six games.

Ducey finished with 14 points, but only Kaylea Lacey beat her out with 23.  Lacey's performance included five made threes.

For the Tornadoes, Thomas had six points and was named the Chill Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game for setting Alton on edge early.  Grace Rogers and Baileigh Jackson each scored 11 and 10 points, respectively. 

The loss sends Taylorville's record to 6-17.  They travel to Monticello on Saturday, with tip-off scheduled for 2:15 p.m. and commentary available on 96.5 The Chill.  Alton is now at 18-2 and hosts Glenwood.