Dunstan’s 38 not enough to life Golden Tigers

The 2014-15 basketball season came to an end on Feb. 4 for the Russellville Lady Golden Tigers in the 5A Area 14 tournament.  Senior Ashley Dunstan’s game, season and career-high 38 points held Russellville close but they fell 52-47 at home to the Fairview Lady Aggies.

Russellville (12-14) led at the half by two but a strong third quarter for Fairview was just too much for the Lady Golden Tigers to overcome.

“I hate it for my seniors because they mean a lot to me,” Russellville head coach, James Bostick said after the game.  “They fought hard to get back into the game but we just didn’t finish the deal.”

Dunstan, a Montevallo signee, scored 6 of Russellville’s 7 points in the first quarter, which featured good defense by both teams.

Russellville got points from the free-throw line by Aleshia Phillips and Madison Hargett in the second quarter to go along with Dunstan’s 12 points in the period to put the Lady Golden Tigers up 24-22 going into the half.

However, it was the third quarter when Fairview took over, causing Russellville turnovers and outscoring the Lady Golden Tigers, 20-9.

Russellville showed a strong will and determination in the final quarter.  Fairview led 42-40 with 5:45 to go in the game and 46-44 with just over 2:00 remaining in the contest.  Dunstan stepped to the free-throw line with 1:30 to go and sank two free throws to tie the game at 46.  Fairview was then able to make enough of their own free throws down the stretch to win the game.

The Aggies had 3 players score in double-figures.  Taylor Yeager led the way for Fairview with 19 points.  Jada Golden had 16 points and Lizzie Mae Garrison added 10.

Russellville’s leading scorer was Ashley Dunstan with 38 points.  She shot 11-18 from the field, 14-18 from the free-throw line and pulled down 10 rebounds.  Michaela Smith and Aleshia Phillips had 4 points each while Madison Hargett added 1 for Russellville.