It has been a bad couple of days for Malden basketball fans. First, the boys' team loses on Saturday to Charleston and on Monday night, the girls' team followed suit, losing to top-seeded New Madrid County Central 65-25 in the Class 3, District 1 Tournament, at Charleston High School. The Lady Eagles athleticism proved to be too much for the Lady Green Wave to handle, which head coach Toby Heeb said that is the key for his young group. “We’re going to use our athleticism and try and wear teams down,” Heeb said. “Overwhelm them and be more quicker and more athletic than everybody on the court and try to get as many shots off turnovers as we can get. I think it took a minute or two to get going, but once it did it really kicked in and we rolled on.” Sophomore Alivia Hartman led NMCC (22-2) with 19 points and four rebounds. Ayannah Ruff and Alexis Phillips also had productive games. Ruff finished with 11 points, while Phillips had 10. Defensively, the Lady Eagles forced 30 turnovers — 29 of which came in the first half. NMCC continues its excellent season on Wednesday, as they face off with Charleston in the semifinals. Tip-off is at 6 p.m. Malden 3 6 6 10 — 25 NMCC 21 25 15 4 — 65 MALDEN (25) — Mallory Perkins 4, Makinley Walker 3, Arionne Ross 4, Gracie Thomas 5, Madison Saulsbery 9. FG 9, FT 7-17, F 7. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none) NMCC (65) — Madezin Jones 2, Alexis Phillips 10, Shakyra Wright 9, Ayannah Ruff 11, Alivia Hartman 19, Allisia Hester 8, Amari Robinson 2, Mastajah Walker 2, Jimmya Caldwell-Newson 2. FG 29, FT 5-8, F 11. (3-pointers: Phillips, Ruff. Fouled out: none)