The Turlock Christian boys basketball team (1-1) just couldn't get a win streak going this season. The Eagles notched a one-point victory in their Central California Athletic Alliance opener on Tuesday when they played Millennium, but Thursday's contest against Sierra Ridge was a different story.

Sierra Ridge, along with 6-foot-8 Edward Gatlin, took control of the game from the onset handing the TC Eagles their first loss of the year, 42-45.

“Honestly, we just did not shoot well at all; we missed open looks, especially from the line,” said TC head coach Eddie Sai. “In the last quarter we had unnecessary passes and turnovers. It's an inexperience thing and we have been missing by just a few points over the last few games.”

TC also shot just 40 percent from the free-throw line for the game, including 2 of 16 from three.

“We just played afraid...Gatlin was a big and intimidating guy; it's like we were afraid to go up against him,” said Sai.

It wasn't the highest scoring game.

After the first quarter Sierra led 8-7 and 23-18 at the end of the first half.

TC was also plagued by poor play from their seniors, who went a combined 0 of 21 for the night.

Junior Mason Mark led the team with a team-high 16 points to go with his 8 rebounds. Sophomore Max Tyson closed in on another double-double after finishing with 11 points and 9 rebounds.

Both sides went back and forth but TC outscored SR 18-10 in the third quarter to go up 36-33 heading into the final eight minutes of play.

During the fourth, TC missed 7 free-throws in the final two minutes, cutting their momentum just short after shooting poorly from the line.

“At the end we could not hit free throws and it killed us,” Sai added.

Next for TC will be a road game at Venture Academy at 8 p.m. Tuesday.