MATTOON - Despite a 1-2 record in pool play, the Galesburg High School girls basketball team will play in its sixth straight Mattoon Holiday Tournament championship game on Friday.

The Silver Streaks suffered a 50-43 loss to Altamont on Thursday morning but by virtue of a tie-breaker of defensive points allowed, came back in pool play to beat Olney 62-53 on Thursday night to advance to 7:30 p.m. Friday's title game.  They will play the winner of Thursday's  Altamont-Mattoon game which was being played late.

Galesburg improved to 8-8 for the season by dashing to a 31-11 halftime lead against Olney, which entered the game with a 12-2 record.

The Streaks pushed their lead to 47-25 after three quarters.

Emily Meinert led Galesburg with 20 points, Andrea Sampson had 13 and Yvonne Mixon 10.

The Silver Streaks' strong start against Altamont evaporated in the second half.

The Streaks took a 9-0 lead to start the game  but the Indians pulled within 16-14 by the end of the period.

The teams battled to a 28-28 tie at the half.

But cold shooting hit GHS after intermission and only a 3-pointer by Sampson kept the Streaks within 40-34 after three quarters.

Sampson hit another 3-pointer with 5:48 left to play to keep Galesburg within 45-40 but that was a close as the Streaks would get down the stretch.

Altamont improved to 14-2 with the win.

Sampson scored 16 points for GHS and Mixon had 12.