Lady Bucs Fall to 8th Ranked Three Rivers

Tuscaloosa- The Lady Bucs fell to the 8^th ranked Three Rivers Lady Raiders for the 2^nd time this season by a final score of 52-51.

The Lady Bucs were led by Makala Hobdy who scored 15 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. The only other Lady Bucs in double figures were freshman Alana Obianozie, who posted an 11-point, 10 rebound double-double and Julie Nekolna notched 11 points while pulling down 8 rebounds. The Lady Raiders were led by Kamille Brown (13) and Kaleigh Thompson (12).

The 1^st quarter was a back-and-forth affair that saw multiple ties and lead changes as the Bucs led 17-15 after the first frame. Makala Hobdy scored 5 points in the quarter to lead the Lady Bucs. The 2^nd quarter saw both teams struggle going a combined 5-26 from the field and 1-10 from beyond the arc. The Lady Raiders won the quarter 9-6 to take a one-point lead into the break (24-23). "All the credit in the world to coach (Alex) Wiggs, that is an extremely talented basketball team. We cannot win big games until we start shooting the ball better from both the free throw line and beyond the arc," said head coach Madonna Thompson.

The second half lived up to the billing of a top 10 showdown. The Lady Bucs, led by Julie Nekolna who scored 9 points in the quarter, came back to take a 2-point advantage going into the final frame (43-41). The 4^th quarter followed the script of the previous 3 as both teams battled as the game came down to the final possession. Julie Nekolna went to the free throw line for 2 shots with 5.7 seconds remaining. Nekolna went 1-2, but Lameria Thomas pulled down the offensive rebound and found Alana Obianozie whose layup attempt was blocked. With 1 second remaining on the clock the Lady Bucs inbounded the ball but could not get a shot up as time expired.

The Lady Bucs wrap the Shelton State Classic tomorrow as they play (RV) Walters State at 3:00 PM.