The SoCal Holiday Prep Classic features nearly 100 teams, both in and outside San Diego — including seven teams ranked in the Union-Tribune’s most recent top-10 poll.

Fourth-ranked Cathedral Catholic faced off against Santa Margarita in the NCAA Gold Division Thursday afternoon at Canyon Hills High School.

The Dons faced a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit before shortening it to nine with under a minute remaining.

However, the rally fell short for the Dons, losing 61-51.

“We didn’t play our best, but I thought we battled hard,” Cathedral Catholic coach Jackie Turpin said. “In the second half, we could’ve quit, and they just battled. That was my challenge to them, to battle each possession and work on stacking stops.”

Despite facing a 46-32 deficit entering the fourth quarter, Dons senior guard Maddie Moeller scored 12 of her 23 points in the final eight minutes. Mckinnley Hanlon added 18 points.

“I feel like me and Mckinnley were just able to turn them over with the grit in the fourth quarter, knowing that we had to step it up and finish our shots.” said Moeller, who signed to play at Division II Southwestern Oklahoma State last month. “I feel that really helped us in the end of the game.”

In the first three quarters, it was a challenge for the Dons (6-1), who were only playing six players in the first of three straight days of action.

The game was tied at 15 in the second quarter before the Eagles (12-3) finished the half on a 13-5 run.

On top of that, Moeller did not play in the final 1:58 of the third quarter after getting poked in the eye.

Turpin said it was a prime opportunity for other players to find some rhythm.

“It’s one of those things where our hand is being forced right now,” Turpin said. “A couple of injuries right now, a couple of kids out of town. But we talk about that it’s a team. So, different people at different times have to step up.

“For me there’s no, ‘I don’t know what we need to do. No. So, next player.’ We’ve got some options we can go to. It’s trial by fire. We’re going to learn it.”

Freshman forward Elle Palmer led the way for the Eagles with 16 points. Freshman guard Gwen Julianel added a dozen off the bench.

“I thought Santa Margarita shot the ball well, moved the ball well,” Turpin said. “They were mid-ranging us to death. They were doing a really good job getting to the mid-range and it felt like they weren’t missing. I think that was one of things we can get better at.”

Cathedral Catholic will face the loser of Sonora and Pleasant Valley Friday at 1:30 p.m. with an opportunity to play in the fifth-place game Saturday. Santa Margarita will face the winner of Sonora and Pleasant Valley at 3 p.m. in the quarterfinals. Both games will take place at Eastlake High School.