Todd County Central put together two wins in a row for the first time this season and earned its first 13th-District victory with a narrow 45-43 decision over visiting Russellville on Friday night.
The Lady Rebels improved to 4-15, 1-2 in district play, ahead of a trip to Franklin-Simpson next Friday.
Russellville’s Mariyah Merriweather knocked down a pair of first-quarter three-pointers, but four points from Ja’Mya Kay helped the Lady Rebels to an 11-9 lead after the opening frame.
Merriweather was on target twice from behind the arc in the second quarter, but Daymea Garrett and Kathryn Ballard combined for 11 to send the Lady Rebels to a 26-24 halftime advantage.
Garrett drained two three-pointers in the third to help Todd Central add two points to the margin, before the Lady Rebels held on for the win in the fourth.
This one came down to the wire as the Lady Rebels entered the final quarter holding a 38-34 lead, only to see Russellville open the fourth with five straight points to go up 39-38.
Todd Central’s Kathryn Ballard then hit a 3 from the left wing to push Todd back to a 41-39 lead with 3:45 to play. However, Russellville came right back to tie the score at 41.
JaMya Kay hit 1-2 free throws to make it 42-41. Ballard scored and was fouled, but missed the free throw, leaving the Lady Rebels with a 44-41 lead.
The Lady Panthers’ DeMyiah Allen scored with about 7 seconds left to cut it to a single point at 44-43.
Kathryn Ballard was fouled with about 5 seconds left and went 1-2 on at the line to make it 45-43.
Russellville’s last gasp chance at the win very nearly hit the jackpot. Abbagale Riley put up a shot two steps inside the mid-court line near the sideline that would have counted and won the game for Russellville, but it banked off the board and then off the front of the rim as the Lady Rebels took the Homecoming win.
Merriweather finished with 21 for the Lady Panthers to lead all scorers, joined in double figures by DeMyiah Allen with 15.
Garrett and Ballard each posted 15 points to lead the Lady Rebels, and Kay finished with nine.
Russellville slipped to 6-6, 1-2 in district play, ahead of a visit from Warren East on Tuesday.
Russellville 9 15 10 9 — 43
Todd Central 11 15 12 7 — 45
Russellville (6-6) – Merriweather 21, Allen 15, Kennedy 3, McCoy 2, Riley 2
Todd Central (4-15) – Ballard 15, Garrett 15, Kay 9, Collins 4, Merriweather 2
