KINGDOM CITY - Sophomore guard Ryelle Schmauch responded with a game-high 14 points but the Ladybirds came up short in an Eastern Missouri Conference loss to the Lady Indians on Thursday night.
North Callaway - which also bowed to Elsberry 44-39 in the third-place game of the Bowling Green Tournament on Jan. 31 - fell to 3-14 overall and 1-4 in the EMO after Thursday night's setback.
The Ladybirds led 14-11 after one quarter, but the Lady Indians outscored North Callaway 13-8 in the second quarter to go in front 24-22. Elsberry then edged the Ladybirds 17-14 in the second half to hold on for the victory.
Senior guard Daelyn Schmauch supplied 11 points and four steals for North Callaway. Sophomore guard Kyanne Kellerman collected a team-high eight rebounds.
"We played really well in the first half but we came out in the second half and had trouble making our shots, especially in the fourth quarter," Ladybirds head coach Morgan Beamer said.
Kylie Kinser paced Elsberry (11-9, 4-1) with 11 points.
North Callaway (0-6) dropped the junior varsity game 32-17. Sophomore guard Piper Jefferies had eight points.
The Ladybirds host an EMO matchup against Wright City at 6 p.m. Monday.