Plains put up a fight defensively in last Saturday’s non-conference boys’ basketball game against Darby in the Horsemen’s home opener, but came up short on the offensive end in a 47-39 loss.

The game marked the return to Plains for Richard Griffin, in his second year as head coach at Darby. He formerly coached at Plains.

The Horsemen host Charlo in their 7B Conference opener this Saturday. Game time is set for 6 p.m. Plains hosts two-time defending Class C state champion Arlee next Tuesday, Dec. 18. Varsity boys’ tip time is 7 p.m.

Plains started slowly against Darby, scoring only 16 points in the first half and the Horsemen managed just 23 second-half points.

“Defensively we were great all night,” Plains head coach Tyrel Allen said, but guard Treydon Brouillette suffered an ankle sprain late in the third period. “The game got out of hand late in the third and early in the fourth (quarter). We were within three (points) but couldn’t get our offense going. We were misfiring.

“Coach Griffin did a real good job of mixing up the man-to-man and zone defenses,” Allen added.

While Plains was just 3-for-13 from the foul line, Darby went 11-for-17.

Matt McCracken led the Horsemen with 11 points and he had nine rebounds. Derick Curry had 10 points.

“Offensively, we’ve got some work to do,” Allen said.