LHS senior Evann Seratte (22) defends an Olathe North shooter in a game, February 1.

OLATHE – As time ticked off the clock and the Lions chased an early second-half deficit, the ground only began to shake more with every thump, foul and foot landing on the hardwood from a layup.

But in the end, Lawrence fell on road to Olathe North (No. 9 in 6A) by a 49-43 margin Friday night.

“It was a good, physical Sunflower (League) game. Our kids were phenomenal,” LHS coach Jeff Dickson said. “I love how hard our kids play and how much class they showed. People could learn a lot from their example.”

Backed by the efforts of Chisom Ajekwu and Hannah Stewart, the Lions (8-5, 3-2 Sunflower League) finished the first quarter with an 18-10 lead. Ajekwu scored three quick baskets with assists from Leslie Ostronic, and Stewart netted a pair of triples to score 11 points in the quarter.

But Olathe North (9-3, 6-0 Sunflower League) responded by disrupting Ostronic’s passes to Ajekwu, which forced LHS to look to junior Sophie DeWitt outside the arc for a triple. On six attempts, DeWitt netted two 3-pointers for 6 points.

Olathe North applied heavy pressure in the paint from 6-foot forward Lele Love, and Ajekwu was the only Lion able to battle with her. Ajekwu led all scorers in the second half with 9 points on three baskets and three free throws.

Stewart scored a basket on a fast break, which was assisted by Sammy Williams.

But Olathe North outscored the Lions in each of the final three quarters. Love led the game with 22 points, and freshman Ashlyn Alloway added 11 points. The Eagles scored 12 points off turnovers with Love snagging four of the Eagles seven steals as a team.

Despite the Lions’ loss, Dickson said he was happy with his team’s performance.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our homegrown Lawrence kids,” Dickson said. “We came up a little short tonight but we will hold our heads high and continue to do things the right way.”

Lawrence plays host to Olathe West at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Lawrence (43)

Hannah Stewart 5-7 2-5 15, Leslie Ostronic 0-3 2-2 2, Sammy Williams 1-3 1-2 3, Sophie DeWitt 2-6 0-0 6, Chisom Ajekwu 6-9 5-9 17, Ella Stewart 0-3 0-0 0, Evann Seratte 0-0 0-0 0, Ozi Ajekwu 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 14-32 10-18 43.

Olathe North (49)

Sania Copeland 1-2 3-4 6, Rhaina Johnson 2-7 0-2 4, Lele Love 10-19 2-2 22, LeYanna McGinnis 3-5 0-1 6, Ashlyn Alloway 4-8 3-6 11, Kehaya Green 0-3 0-0 0, Yiibari Nwidadah 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 20-45 8-15 49.