With spark plug forward Tasi Fenumiai away on a trip, the Thunder Mountain High School girls struggled to keep their energy — and spirits — high in a 58-28 loss to Colony on Friday at TMHS.

Sophomore Neal Garcia scored eight points as the Knights bottled up senior Nina Fenumiai in the paint to hold the dominant forward to just five points. The senior said rebounding — something she normally excels in — was a challenge against the Knights. Nina Fenumiai said she “shut down” in the third quarter after feeling a bit overwhelmed and outmanned.

“I kind of took myself out of the game once I realized that I wasn’t getting rebounds and I wasn’t working hard enough,” Fenumiai said.

Colony sophomore Hannah Duguid and senior Kali Bull scored nine respective points and freshman Indiya Clarke and senior Chloe Simpson both had eight.

The Knights, who start three underclassmen, led 12-3 after the first quarter and 29-16 at halftime. Colony coach Jeff Bowker said he emphasized strong team defense and rebounding throughout the game.

“We talk all the time — defend the basket,” Bowker said. “Five girls see the ball, five girls defend the basket.”

• Contact sports reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nainsworth@juneauempire.com. Follow Empire Sports on Twitter @akempiresports.

Thunder Mountain’s Tzadi Hauck, left, pressures Colony’s Kali Bull at TMHS on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019. Colony won 58-28. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain’s Mary Khaye Garcia shoots against Colony’s Maggie Spencer at TMHS on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019. Colony won 58-28. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)