Coupeville’s girls basketball team wasted a strong defensive effort in falling to host Cedarcrest 45-33 Tuesday.

The Wolves “played hard defensively” with a “solid” effort according to coach Blake Severns as Coupeville collected 11 steals and forced over 30 turnovers. However, Coupeville couldn’t convert the Cedarcrest mistakes into points.

The Wolves hit just 27 percent (12-45) from the field and 38 percent from the line (5-13).

After scoring just eight points in the first 14 minutes of play, Coupeville scored seven in the last two minutes of the half to trail 22-15 at the break.

The Wolves narrowed the lead to five in the third quarter but could not overtake the Red Wolves. Severns said, “We were forced to gamble at the end and it didn’t pay off.”

Megan Smith scored 10 points for Coupeville, while Cassidi Rosenkrance and Marie Hesselgrave added seven each. Courtney Boyd finished with three points, and Katie Smith, Courtney Arnold and Amanda Manker had two apiece.

AC Den Hartog popped in 22 for the Red Wolves (2-0, 3-5).

Coupeville (1-1, 6-2) entertains Granite Falls Friday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m. and King’s Saturday at 5:15.