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KNOXVILLE – West battled tough on Tuesday evening against host Austin-East but could not overcome an early deficit, falling 55-53.

With the loss, West fell to 9-8 on the season.

The Trojans were led in the game by Tory House with 12 points while Bereket Evans added 10. Other scorers in the game for West were Jalen McCullough with nine, Kyan Almonte with seven, Bricyn Gudger with six, Damian Morgan with five, Rylin King with two and Alban Oruglica with two.

It was a slow start to the game for West as the Trojans scored just six points in the opening quarter and trailed by 13.

In the second, West bounced back with 19 points and held Austin-East to seven as the Trojans trailed by just one at the half at 26-25. Morgan and Gudger each had five points in the second quarter.

In the third, West remained close and trailed by three heading to the final eight minutes at 42-39. Evans had five points in the quarter while House had four.

In the fourth, West made one last effort to complete the comeback but fell short. House scored six in the final quarter while Almonte added four.

West will be back in action on Friday as host Sevier County. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.