A tough start plagued the Washington boys’ basketball team on Tuesday night, as they could never fully recover against Iowa City Liberty and lost 62-54.

The Lightning came out red-hot from the field to build an early 10-point lead and had a 22-13 advantage after the first. It looked like they were going to run away with it early in the second quarter extending the lead to 16, but a strong finish to the half by Washington got it back to 38-30 at the break. The same cycle continued in the second half with the Lightning jumping out to a big lead and the Demons would storm back to close within five. Down the stretch, Iowa City Liberty’s Iziah Poulsen was too much for Washington and they hung on for the eight-point win. Poulsen finished with a game-high 33 points including five threes. Luke Turner led Washington with 12 points and Cale Hobscheidt had 10.

The Demons fall to 5-11 on the year and the Lightning improve to 6-12. Washington will get back on the court Friday traveling to Fort Madison.