Manhattan High girls’ basketball capped a strong showing at the Mid America Classic with a 63-51 loss to Olathe South in the championship game Saturday evening at the Roundhouse.

After two dominant wins earlier in the tournament, the Indians ran into a difference-maker in the title game. Olathe South was powered by star center Eve Long, the nation’s No. 8 overall recruit, who followed up her record-setting semifinal with another standout performance.

Olathe South set the early tone with an 18-11 first quarter, but Manhattan responded in the second, tightening the game with a 13-7 edge in the frame to pull within 25-24 at halftime. The Indians stayed within striking distance through the opening two quarters, despite cold shooting from the perimeter.

Long proved to be the difference over the final 16 minutes. The Falcons leaned on their inside presence in the second half, as Long finished with 31 points and 14 rebounds, controlling the paint and drawing fouls throughout the night.

Olathe South also got a timely boost from the perimeter, as Phoebe Pflumm knocked down five 3-pointers and finished with 18 points, giving the Falcons a consistent scoring outlet when Manhattan collapsed defensively inside.

Manhattan battled throughout and continued to compete on the glass, winning the rebounding battle 40-34, but struggled to find rhythm offensively. The Indians shot 32.2% from the field and 3-of-23 from three-point range, while Olathe South capitalized at the free-throw line, led by Long’s 10-of-11 mark at the charity stripe.

The Falcons created separation in the fourth quarter, outscoring Manhattan 28-20 to pull away down the stretch.

Manhattan was led by a balanced effort offensively. Delaney Larson and Bailey Busch each scored 14 points, with Busch also pulling down a team-high nine rebounds. Jelena Depusoir added 8 points and seven rebounds, while Kat Ball finished with 6 and Evie Banks chipped in 5.

Manhattan finished the 31st annual Mid America Classic going 2-1 over three days against a strong field that tested its ability to compete at a high level heading into the remainder of the season.

Standing at 11-3 and 3-0 in league play, the Indians pick up play again on Tuesday at Great Bend.

OLATHE SOUTH 63,

MANHATTAN 51

Olathe South (10-5) — 18; 7; 10; 28 — 63

Manhattan (11-3, 3-0) — 11; 13; 7; 20 — 51

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

Manhattan — Larson 14, Busch 14, Depusoir 8, Ball 6, Banks 5, Jorryn Hall 2, Becket 2

Olathe South — Long 31, Pflumm 18, Price 6, Bates 3, Maupin 3, Allen 2