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Free State High girls basketball coach Bryan Duncan knows that his team has been playing hard.

"I'm kind of tired to keep hearing how well we played against a good team, yet still come out on the losing end," Duncan said Friday night after the Firebirds lost to Olathe South, 46-32, at the FSHS gym.

"I expect them to play that way every time out. If they didn't, then I would be upset. But until we learn how to execute, we're not going to win these kind of games."

Free State (3-4 overall, 1-3 Sunflower League) by no means ever was in control. But despite committing as many turnovers as points scored in the first half (13), the Firebirds cut the Falcons' lead to 29-25 early in the third quarter.

But the Falcons (6-2, 3-1) answered with a 13-0 spurt spanning nearly seven minutes during the third and fourth quarters.

Add in the fact the Firebirds didn't help themselves with 21 turnovers, and 9-of-21 free-throw shooting, and it's easy to understand their frustration.

"Everybody is playing so hard, we're battling, then I look up and when I think the score should be a lot closer, it isn't," said Free State's Jamie Stanclift, who led the Firebirds with eight points.

"We're always battling from behind, digging out of a hole. I know that we need to do a lot better on the little things and executing, but even when it feels like we're right there, we're still behind. It's really getting frustrating."

The Firebirds seemed flustered from the start. Olathe South didn't jump on Free State, but the Falcons didn't have to because the Firebirds hurt themselves.

Free State committed nine turnovers in the first quarter, and on three separate occasions gave up back-to-back offensive possessions because of turnovers.

6Sports video: Free State girls fall to Olathe South

O-South bolted to 9-4 lead after the first eight minutes and extended that margin to 23-13 by halftime.

Falcons post player Megan Grisell scored seven of her game-high 19 points in the first half, while Lauren Graybeal also helped to control the post with six first-half points. For the game, O-South outrebounded Free State, 27-21.

However, the Falcons -- who much like Free State didn't control the ball well, committing 20 turnovers -- allowed the Firebirds to get back in the game.

Free State High's Jenny Gwaltney (15) passes out of a triple-team by Olathe South's Chelsea Goosen (25), Melissa Grieb, top left, and Lauren Heck during the second half. The Falcons beat the Firebirds, 46-32, Friday night at FSHS.

Wallis Romzek buried a three-pointer to start the third quarter to bring the Firebirds' student section to life and cut her team's deficit to five.

Free State went back and forth with the Falcons and inched a point closer with 2:21 to play on a turn-around shot by Jenny Gwaltney.

But that would be the closest it would get as Olathe South pulled away.

The Firebirds have a week off before they face Topeka Highland Park.

Despite being proud for her team battling, Stanclift said that staying close with teams isn't good enough.

"We really thought we had a shot at winning this one, and we did," she said. "It's just so frustrating to be right there, but then come away with nothing."

Free State's Jamie Stanclift (21) drives past Olathe South's Megan Grisell. The Falcons knocked off the Firebirds, 46-32, Friday night at the FSHS gym.