Second-half rally lifts No. 4 Athens past Russellville girls

By Staff
Mike Self, FCT Sports Editor
RUSSELLVILLE – Jordan Dollar had 21 points and Tasha West added 16 on Tuesday, but Russellville was unable to hold on to a second-half lead over No. 4 Athens as the Lady Golden Eagles rallied for a 57-53 win.
Dollar had eight points in the second quarter as Russellville out-scored Athens 18-8 to take a six-point halftime lead, and her three-pointer to open the third quarter stretched the margin to nine at 27-18.
The Lady Eagles fought back to tie the game 33-33 on a three-point play by Janae Strong, but West responded with back-to-back baskets to put Russellville back in front.
Athens took its first lead of the second half with a quick 6-0 run, but Dollar nailed a jumper and West made two free throws to give Russellville a 41-39 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The game see-sawed back and forth until Athens (18-3, 5-0) was able to open up a 51-45 lead with 4:13 remaining.
Dollar answered with her fourth three of the night to cut the lead in half, and Russellville pulled even at 53-53 on a driving layup by Erin Reynolds with 1:15 left to play.
LeCresha Horton quickly answered with a pull-up jumper to put Athens back in front, and Russellville committed a pair of costly turnovers down the stretch as their bid for an upset slipped away.
Strong led Athens with 14 points, and Sierra Caudle added 13. Horton had 10, and Keona Shoulders added nine.
Both teams struggled to score in the first quarter, which ended with the Lady Eagles leading 10-6.
Dollar heated up in the second quarter, scoring on a putback and hitting back-to-back threes as Russellville opened up a 16-12 lead.
Athens surged back in front at 17-16, but West had three baskets in an 8-1 run by the Lady Golden Tigers that gave them a 24-18 lead at the half.
Reynolds finished with six points for Russellville, and Sasha Willingham added five.
Russellville will play its final area game of the regular season tonight at Decatur. Russellville beat Decatur 55-47 on January 2.
A win tonight by the Lady Golden Tigers would ensure them the No. 3 seed in the area tournament and a first-round meeting with Muscle Shoals.
In other recent action:
Shoals Christian 49 Vina 25
Heather Holland led the Lady Red Devils with 15 points in Tuesday's loss at Shoals Christian.
Vina trailed 10-4 after one quarter and 30-9 at the half.
Mackenzie Bishop led Shoals Christian (11-11) with 18 points.
Vina will play at Hubbertville tonight and then host Hubbertville on Tuesday.