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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 travel to Carroll-Ozark on Tuesday, Jan. 30, in the regular season finale.