NEW BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - The New Bloomfield Wildcats were unable to chase down the Fatima Comets from the outset in suffering their first loss of the season in Tuesday night's Show-Me Conference opener.
New Bloomfield (4-1) was behind 24-12 after the first quarter and trailed 43-24 at the break. The Wildcats outscored Fatima 17-12 in the third quarter, but were still down 55-41 going into the last 8 minutes.
Junior forward Jak Kitchens directed New Bloomfield with a game-high 34 points and junior guard Nick Hammann finished with 10.
Tim Brunett paced the Comets with 27 points and Steven Brandt tallied 17.
The Wildcats remain at home for an SMC county clash with South Callaway at 6 p.m. Friday.