Steamboat Springs — It may get worse before it gets better, but senior Raya Duryea is convinced things will improve for the Steamboat Springs High School girls basketball team.

The Sailors on Friday dropped their second game in the Steamboat Shoot-Out basketball tournament, falling 65-23 against Prairie View.

Much as it was the night before, in a 49-28 first-round loss to Discovery Canyon, Steamboat was badly outsized Friday. That was only the start of its troubles, too. The team struggled to get the ball up the court against a harassing and persistent defense, then struggled to get and make open shots.

The team, 0-4, was limited to only three points in the second quarter and trailed 36-11 at halftime.

Duryea ended up leading the team with 10 points, and she was the only of the Sailors to make more than one basket or score more than three points.

As for it getting worse: Duryea and two other players will miss the team’s final Shoot-Out game, set for 9 a.m. Saturday against Pueblo Centennial, in order to take the ACT. Centennial lost Friday 43-38 against Northridge.

As for it getting better, the players said they’re making progress.

Steamboat gave up plenty of turnovers, but spent much of the game playing an aggressive style of defense that forced turnovers, too.

The team spent nearly 15 minutes in the locker room after the game mulling it over.

“It was actually a really positive talk,” Duryea said. “Defensively, our team works really well together. Obviously, they had quite a few points on the board tonight, but all in all, we’re moving our feet better and working together better as a team.

“The girls just need to get in themselves to take the shot they have open. They’ll start falling if we keep taking the shots.”

To reach Joel Reichenberger, call 970-871-4253, email jreichenberger@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @JReich9