The Straughn Lady Tigers stepped it up a notch in the second half on their way to a 52-37 victory over Houston Academy tonight at the fourth annual Straughn Lady Tigers Thanksgiving Tournament.

Straughn held a 23-19 lead at halftime, and the Lady Tigers outscored the Lady Raiders 14-10 in the third quarter, and 15-8 in the fourth.

The Lady Tigers will play Brantley tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. in the final game of the winner’s bracket, and a chance at the tournament title.

SHS girls coach Scott Kinsaul said slow starts in the first half have been the crux of the team this season.

“It’s kind of been our ‘MO’ this year,” Kinsaul said. “But, we’ve been a real good second half team.

“I’m proud of these girls, and how they played in the second half tonight,” he said.

Kinsaul said tomorrow’s game against Brantley will be good preparation for the area teams coming up in January.

“Brantley’s a good ball team,” he said. “We have to play good teams in Brantley to prepare for Andalusia and Ashford.”