A slow start was too much for the Phoenix girls' basketball team to overcome Tuesday night.

The host Pirates trailed by eight points after one quarter and never recovered in a 46-34 Skyline Conference loss to Hidden Valley.

The Pirates’ Anabell Delgado dropped in seven of her 15 points in the fourth quarter and Kynna Nolan scored six of Phoenix’s eight first-quarter points on her way to a season-high 11 points.

Morgan James added six points and 10 rebounds for the Pirates (7-10, 1-3 Skyline), who had a difficult time containing the Knights’ Skylar Willey in the paint. Willey finished with 19 points for Hidden Valley (7-8, 2-1).

Phoenix returns to action Thursday when it visits Henley. 

HIDDEN VALLEY (46): Powers 11, Rommes 0, Tiffin 0, Bents 8, Noga 6, Lowery 2, Willey 19, Bennett 0. Totals: 14 15-19 46.

PHOENIX (34): James 6, Nolan 11, Potratz 2, Delgado 15, Rector 0, Mohamud 0. Totals: 14 4-4 34.