Just a week after downing the Morgan Academy Lady Senators by 27 points to clinch the area tournament championship, the Fort Dale Academy Lady Eagles were paired up with the Senators once again Friday in the final eight, but the result this time was much closer.

In a game marred by poor shooting, the Eagles and the Senators both shot 25 percent from the field, but it was the Fort Dale defense that proved to be the difference.

The Eagles held the lead only momentarily in the first period, got it back for a brief second in the third period and then trailed for the remainder of the game until Morgan Pouncey sank a lay-up with just under five minutes remaining in the game.

The Eagles would not trail again.

Fort Dale got in trouble early and did not score a basket until three minutes into the game.

Junior Michelle Hulick got into foul trouble early, thus hampering the Eagles' inside game, and she added to her foul total with her fourth of the game just eight seconds into the second half.

The Eagle defense settled in going into the final period and after tying the game at 25-25, Pouncey's lay-up sealed the deal for Fort Dale.

Jennifer Pouncey was the game's leading scorer with 18 points, including four three-pointers, while also adding six steals and six rebounds.

Morgan Pouncey was next for the Eagles with eight points, five steals and a team-high 10 rebounds.

Abbey Martin had five points for the Eagles, followed by Tyler Manning with four points and a team-high eight steals and Casey Hicks with two points and three steals.

For Morgan, Jaime Pilcher, Aly Bradford and Cursey Oaks each had seven points. Bradford had a game-high 11 rebounds for the Senators while Pilcher had 10 rebounds.

Jaye Lyn Lawrence also had six points in the loss.

The Eagles now advance to the AISA Class AAA Final Four.

Game times and opponents have yet to be determined, but the games will once again be held at Huntingdon College Friday, February 16 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.