The Pike Liberal Patriots finished up day one of the Abbeville Christian Christmas tournament Friday with a 61-43 loss to Edgewood.

“We didn’t play a bad game,” said Patriots head coach Alan Ponder. “We played a really good second half. If we would have played the same way in the first half, it could have been a much closer game.”

The Patriots (5-5) fell behind early and spent the game trying to work.

“We were just very inconsistent tonight,” Ponder said. “We played very lackluster in the first half and it took a while for us to get in the game. We came out in the second half and played a lot better and made a game out of it. We have to get over that hump and be a consistent basketball team.”

Ponder said fatigue may have contributed to his team’s inconsistent play. Friday’s game marked the third game in the last four days for the Patriots.

“This week is the first time that we have played a lot of games in a week,” Ponder said. “I can’t use that as an excuse. We should be in very good shape.”

Friday night’s loss marked the second time this season that the Patriots had lost to the Wildcats this season. The two teams also met in the championship game of the Pepsi Classic Tournament.

“We played them much better than we did the first time,” Ponder said. “We just have to get the point to where we can play 32 minutes. They are very fast, athletic and long. We got some open looks tonight, we didn’t shoot the ball very well but we got more open looks.”

Ethan Greene led the Patriots with 15 points, while Marquese Christian finished with 13.

“Marquese Christian played a great game tonight,” Ponder said. “He took it right at them and took it right at the defense. That was probably one of the better games that he has played so far this year.”

When the Patriots lacked energy, Christian seemed to be the one that was there to pick up the pace for the Patriots according to coach Ponder.

“While we lacked a lot of energy early, he brought energy,” Ponder said. “That is what kept us in the game.”

The Patriots will look to get back in the win column later today when they match up with Abbeville at 11:00 a.m.