The Andalusia High School Lady Bulldogs were able to hold on to victory in the final seconds of area play against Monroe County High School 54-52.

The game was close from the beginning of the first period with both teams scoring baskets right after another.

Monroe County got on the board first, but Shalisa Thomas answered right back for the Lady Bulldogs with two layups to take the lead 4-2.

The two teams went back and forth the entire first period, but in the end of the first, Monroe County was up 14-12.

A strong defense kept the Lady Dogs in the lead during the second period, holding Monroe County to only five points.

Ty’Eshia Reed had a strong second period, leading the scoring with five points.

Kathryn Black had a rebound at the end of the second period and put it back up for a basket to make the score 25-19, at half time.

With 5:30 left in the third period, Thomas and Reed had back to back layups to increase the Lady Bulldog lead 33-23, but Monroe County started to make a come back. The Lady Tigers tied the game by shooting a three pointer with 55 seconds left in the third period.

Thomas kept trucking along, keeping the Lady Bulldogs in the lead by making a layup with 38 seconds left in the third, making the score 35-33.

The Lady Tigers were right behind Andalusia, tying the score again with 20 seconds left in the third period, 35-35.

With 10 seconds left in the third period, Thomas was fouled and made one free throw to take the lead, 36-35.

The Lady Bulldogs increased their lead to start the fourth period by two fouls and a three pointer from Thomas, making the score 42-35.

Monroe County did not give up easily, going on a seven-point spree to tie the game at 44-44, with 3:14 left in the game.

The Lady Tigers took the lead with an acrobatic layup, but Daniah Lawson tied it up at 47-47 by shooting a three pointer with 2:25 left in the game.

It was back and forth until 20 seconds left in the game when AHS freshman India Dowling-Green hit a jump shot to take the lead, 53-51.

The Lady Tigers had six seconds to make something happen, but Andalusia held on for the win.

Thomas led the scoring effort for the Lady Bulldogs with 24 points. Reed was behind her with 13.

“We came out kind of slow,” Head coach Harrison Mims said. “We had a high intensity game the last game with Hillcrest so we were trying to rebound from that, but I am just proud of how my girls adapted and adjusted to adversity in this game. If things didn’t go our way, they didn’t show it. They showed some resilience and I am really proud of that.”

With the win, the Lady Bulldogs improve to 4-1 in the area and 6-9 overall.

Andalusia will play Opp High School on February 1 in Opp.