photo by: Carter Gaskins

Lawrence HIgh senior Chisom Ajekwu (45) blocks the shot of Topeka High's NiJaree Canady (40) in the first quarter on Nov. 30, 2018 at LHS.

The Lawrence High girls basketball team never recovered from its slow start Tuesday night.

LHS (5-3) scored just 3 points in the opening period en route to a 50-29 loss to Liberty during the first round of the Truman tournament. Liberty (12-2) took a 12-3 lead after the first quarter before breaking the game open with a 21-point outburst in the third period.

“We got off to an extremely slow start,” Lawrence coach Jeff Dickson said. “We didn’t play with any fire or energy as a team. We have a lot of maturing that we need to do as a team before we can take advantage of the talent we have.”

Senior Chisom Ajekwu, a KU signee, led the Lions in scoring with 16 points on seven baskets. She was the only player to record double figures, as Sammy Williams and Sophie DeWitt each added 5 points for Lawrence.

LHS will face St. Teresa in the second round of the tournament at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Truman High School.

Lawrence (29)

Chisom Ajekwu 16, Sammy Williams 5, Sophie DeWitt 5, Ozi Ajekwu 2, Ella Stewart 1, Evann Seratte 0, Leslie Ostronic 0, Hannah Stewart 0.

Liberty (50)

May 0, Nelson 15, Mason 16, Davier 3, Taylor 2, Fleming 8, Serepo 3, Straws 3.