Lady Bucs Conquer the Cardinals in Top 15 Showdown

Morristown, TN- The Lady Bucs capped off the Carlyle-Kragel Classic with a wire-to-wire, 88-86, win over the 15^th ranked Trinity Valley Lady Cardinals.

The Lady Bucs were led in scoring by sophomore Makala Hobdy who exploded for 20 points, to go along with 12 assists and 8 rebounds. Julie Nekolna tallied 19 points including a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line. Freshman Janiyah Bone chipped in 16 points behind 4 made 3's, while Alana Obianozie also finished the game in double figures scoring 12.

Julie Nekolna scored 11 of her 19 points in the first quarter as the Lady Bucs raced out to a 28-16 lead. "I think the first quarter of this game was a continuation of the second half yesterday, we were settled in from tipoff, and that ultimately decided the game," said head coach Madonna Thompson. The Lady Cardinals settled in over course of the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 9 at the break.

In the third quarter, the Lady Bucs battled as the Lady Cardinals cut the deficit once again, this time to just 6 points. Makala Hobdy capped off a stellar performance with an 8-point 4^th quarter, as the Lady Bucs clung to the lead. Head coach Madonna Thompson was ejected with just 4:30 left in the 4^th quarter after receiving her 2^nd technical foul. After her ejection, Trinity Valley would cut the lead to just 3 points before Janiyah Bone knocked down a pair of free throws with just 3.9 seconds left, to seal the game. Trinity Valley would hit one more shot, but it was too little too late as the Lady Bucs closed out the game, one in which they never trailed.

"I am so proud of the team and their effort to knockoff off one of the best junior college programs of all time," said Madonna Thompson. "Battling through adversity and finding a way to beat two great basketball teams on back-to-back days is a great way to start the season!"

The Lady Bucs return to action against Jones College in Tuscaloosa for their home opener on Saturday, November 9^th at 2:00 PM.