Andalusia opened up a huge lead in the first half and made it stand for a 39-28 win over Georgiana in the varsity girls’ game of the Beat the Odds Family Tri-County Showcase on Saturday, Jan. 27.
Neither side could get going offensively until Jaidyn Berry made the first basket of the game with 5:44 left in the opening period. Berry followed with another bucket, and Kelsie Horwath pushed the lead to 6-0 with a nice drive to the hoop. After Kionni Wright converted a layup, Georgiana got on the board with two free throws by Jamiya Mobley. Kamari Gay and Horwath extended Andalusia’s margin to double digits and ultimately a 12-5 lead after one.
Horwath opened the second period with four points, and Cape Merrell went one-of-two at the line 3:45 to go in the first half. Wright added a free throw, while Gay scored off a layup and made the score 20-5. The Lady Bulldogs nearly held their counterparts scoreless, but Lillie Boggan had three late points for the Lady Panthers and cut the deficit to 21-8 at halftime.
Georgiana regrouped and had a big third period offensively and defensively. Boggan made a pair of free throws with 5:01 to go in the frame. Grace Bradley then hit a three and cut the visiting deficit down to six at 23-17. Berry gave Andalusia some breathing room with six points in the period and stretched the lead back to double digits at 29-19. Boggan got an offensive rebound and scored for the final points to make the score 29-21 after three.
The offensive woes continued into the fourth. After a free throw cut the score to 29-22, it stayed there until the 4:00 mark when Cape Merrell scored on a jumper. Bradley hit her second three of the half and brought the Lady Panthers within 31-25 and 2:28 to go in the game. The Lady Bulldogs then found a way with eight points down the stretch led by Horwath’s four points and took the win.
Horwath and Berry both had 12 points each for Andalusia (10-7). Gay earned seven as Wright collected five, and Merrell had three.
Boggan paced Georgiana (12-9) in the loss with 16 points. Grace chipped in three, while three other players notched two apiece.
The Lady Bulldogs have completed the regular season and turn attention to the 4A Area 3 Tournament at Geneva. Action begins Friday, Feb. 2, against Dale County at a time to be announced.
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