The Cumberland High School varsity boys basketball team charged ahead late in the first half Thursday night against visiting Prince Edward County High School, but the Dukes could not carry the momentum into the second half, eventually falling 48-40.

The Eagles were coming off of their first district loss of the season Tuesday, a tough 46-43 defeat to host Amelia County High School.

“We wanted to erase that loss on Tuesday night, and we came out a little flat,” Prince Edward Head Coach James Scott said after Thursday’s game. “And Cumberland, they played very hard.”

After trailing early, the Dukes went on a run and took a 26-17 lead late in the second quarter and held a 26-20 lead at halftime.

The Eagles were able to turn things around in the third quarter, though, outscoring their hosts 17-2 to take a 37-28 lead into the final period.

Cumberland kept within striking distance, but Prince Edward was able to stay out in front.

“We figured that we could put a little pressure on them, because they were beating us when we were in that man-to-man (defense), and we just had to throw different defenses at them, mix it up a little,” Scott said.

Despite the loss, the Dukes gave their coach a glimpse of a brighter future.

“I’m definitely impressed on how we played tonight,” Cumberland Head Coach Tyrone Mosby said. “If we can definitely continue to build off of that defense and offense that we ran tonight, I think we’ll have a better season the second half of the year.”

The Dukes (1-5) return to action Dec. 26 when they begin hosting their two-day Christmas tournament. They will face Nottoway High School at 7:30 p.m. The Eagles (5-3) will also play in the tourney, facing Central Virginia Homeschool the same day at 6 p.m.