A slow start doomed Tahlequah Friday night in a 49-43 road loss to Grove. The Tigers were limited to one field goal in the first half -- a 3-pointer by Kooper McAlvain in the second quarter. Tahlequah, which trailed 20-6 at the break, also got three free throws from junior guard Michael Murphy in the second quarter. Tahlequah, now 0-2 to start the season under first-year head coach Duane Jones, was coming off a heartbreaking loss in the closing seconds to Pryor Tuesday in its season opener at Pryor. The Tigers' offense got going in the second half Friday, scoring 37 points, but could not catch up to the Ridgerunners (2-0). Sophomore guard Jaxon Jones led THS with 10 points, seven of those coming in the final eight minutes. Junior forward Noah Riley added nine points for the Tigers, while Murphy and Chris Holmes chipped in with six apiece. Jones and Murphy both connected on two 3-pointers. Grove was led by Zane Knox's game-high 20 points. Knox went 9-of-11 from the foul line. Wrangler Beal was also in double figures with 13 points. The Tigers will remain on the road Tuesday when they travel to play Skiatook. Their first game at the Tahlequah Multipurpose Activity Center will be Thursday, the opening day of the CNB Tahlequah Tiger Invitational.