The Red Level Lady Tigers’ first game of the 12th annual Christmas Invitational tournament came down to turnovers.

The Lady Tigers gave up 40 turnovers in their 35-32 loss to the Highland Home Lady Flying Squadron on Monday night.

“Turnovers were the main thing (Monday night),” Red Level coach Delores Douglas said. “I think that was the main factor. We looked a little sloppy on breaking the press. I think those were our two biggest factors.”

Red Level managed only 10 points, compared to Highland Home’s 16 in the first half.

In the third quarter, Highland Home outscored Red Level 10-8.

The Lady Tigers made a short rally in the fourth, scoring 14 points to Highland Home’s nine.

Douglas said her team’s ball movement was “much improved,” even despite the turnovers.

“They moved the ball a lot better than they have been previously,” she said. “They’ve been working the ball and flashing to the spots. They moved a lot better. I was real pleased with the effort — we’ve just got to fix those fundamental things.

“I was proud of my younger players,” she said. “They showed a lot of promise and I was very proud of the way they showed poise and control out there on the court.”

Highland Home’s Jenna Dorman led with 13 points and Cornika Gipson added seven.

In her first game of the season, Red Level’s Lania Paulk led with 13. Zonia Bullock added seven for Red Level.