The team that finds itself on the wrong end of a 22-point laugher isn’t typically the one with the chuckles.

The Lawrence High boys basketball team simply didn’t know any other way to react Friday night during and after an 87-65 setback to Leavenworth on the Lions’ home floor.

The last-shot losses that have plagued LHS this season have provided enough emotional discomfort. After watching the Pioneers torch the nets on the way to a resounding victory, the Lions decided there wasn’t much of a need to compound their misery by hanging their heads.

“It’s disappointing, but I felt like the team was in as good a spirit as you can expect to be in this situation,” LHS coach Chris Davis said. “At the end of the third quarter when everybody came to the bench for the huddle, we just kind of laughed.”

The source of the giggles was a scouting report that blew up in the Lions’ collective face. After watching Leavenworth on film, Davis and his players figured it would be the Pioneers’ athleticism – not their jump shots – that would pose the biggest problem.

Instead, Leavenworth beat Lawrence at its own game, connecting for 10 three-pointers, including seven by seldom-used reserve guard Antoine Branch, who entered the contest averaging just 3.0 points per game.

Branch finished with 21 points, while senior James Manthe – the one shooter who concerned the Lions coming in – dropped a pair of long-distance jumpers on the way to a game-high 23.

“With their tapes, we only were aware of one shooter,” LHS senior Tyler Knight said. “It’s hard to get out on a team with a couple of good shooters with also a presence in the middle.”

The Lions (10-8 overall, 4-5 Sunflower League) kept it interesting early. Knight scored 10 of his team-high 22 points in the first quarter, and LHS found itself down just a bucket with less than six minutes remaining before halftime.

However, the Pioneers (15-3, 8-1) closed out the half on an 18-6 run and spent the third quarter extending a margin that grew to as much as 27 points.

“We (fought back) two or three times, and I think it was one of those where the dam kind of broke,” Davis said. “We didn’t have enough left in the tank.”

The Lions will play host Tuesday to Shawnee Mission North before traveling Friday to face Free State in their regular-season finale.

Leavenworth girls 62, Lawrence High 54

The sharpshooting bug bit early as the Pioneers (8-10, 4-5) used success behind the arc and a number of second-chance opportunities to steal a victory on the road.

Point guard Casey Elliott drilled a trio of three-pointers, scoring 17 points to lead three players in double figures.

Lawrence (8-10, 5-4) also enjoyed the fruits of its long-range labors, as Sydney Wilson matched Elliott’s production, and the Lions also placed three scorers in double digits.

The difference was Leavenworth’s ability also to make good on its misses with second-chance conversions in the paint.

“We knew they were athletic, would run fast and jump high and all that. We just let them use it to their advantage too much,” LHS coach Kristin Mallory said. “Second and third shots : it just wears you out.”

The LHS girls also will close out against Shawnee Mission North at home Tuesday before visiting Free State on Friday.