IOWA CITY - The Xavier Saints gave powerful Iowa City High a tough  game for much of the night Friday before falling, 59-40, in a Mississippi Valley Conference girls basketball contest in Iowa City.

The Saints (7-6) trailed 25-20 at halftime and pulled within three  points at 25-22 and 27-24 in the third quarter, but the Little Hawks  pulled way from there.

Xavier, which is ranked No. 7 in Class 4A, fell to 7-6 overall with  its third straight loss. The undefeated Little Hawks are ranked No. 2  in Class 5A with a perfect 13-0 mark.

Lexi Noonan tossed in 22 points for Xavier. Ashley Joens scored 23 for  City High.

XAVIER (40): Stanek 1 0-0 3, Hoffman 0 0-0 0, Daniels 0 0-0 0, Cooling  0 0-0 0, Brown 2 0-0 4, Noonan 9 4-5 22, Steffen 0 2-2 2, Callahan 0  0-0 0, Stovie 0 1-2 1, Ivester 3 0-0 6, Jasper 1 0-0 2. Totals 16 7-11  40.

IOWA CITY HIGH (59): Hora 2 0-0 5, Nkumu 2 0-0 4, Sa.Schroder 0 0-0 0,  Sy.Schroder 3 2-3 8, As.Joens 10 0-0 23, Fontana 0 0-0 0, Au.Joens 1  2-2 5, Rocca 1 1-2 3, Lacey 0 0-0 0, Earl 4 2-2 11, Greving 0 0-0 0.  Totals 23 7-9 59.

Halftime - Iowa City High 25, Xavier 20. 3-point goals - Xavier 1  (Stanek 1), Iowa City High 6 (As.Joens 3, Hora 1, Au.Joens 1, Earl 1).