Emma Kate Dunivan battles her way through the Richland defense and scores in the first half. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
LYNNVILLE — For the bulk of the District 10-A championship game, the Cornersville Lady ‘Dawgs hung tough with top seed Richland.
After hitting a three to pull within one at the buzzer in the second quarter, Cornersville got a bucket from Annamarie Cooper to open the second half.
But that basket was the last for several minutes as Richland went on a 13-2 run to break the game open and eventually held on for the 54-40 win over Cornersville.
It looked like the game might swing towards a blowout early, with the Lady Raiders coming out of the gates red-hot and jumping out to an 8-2 lead barely two minutes into the game.
But Cornersville came up with an answer during the Richland cold spell and closed the gap to a single possession by the end of the first quarter.
Despite being able to get to the line for four made free throws during that spell, Richland was held scoreless from the floor, and Cornersville was able to spread the offense around with four players penciling their name in the scoring column during the opening period.
Leading 12-10, Richland saw its lead cut to a single point when Ady Gentry stepped to the line and hit one of two free throw attempts at the 7:05 mark of the second period.
She gave the Lady ‘Dawgs a 13-12 lead with a basket less than a minute later, but Richland answered on a 7-1 run to take a 20-14 lead with just under three minutes left in the half.
But Cornersville again came through with some timely baskets, with Gentry beating a triple team off the low post and Cooper swishing the nylon with 1:53 left in the half.
Having cut the Lady Raider lead to one by halftime, Cornersville looked to be in the fight for the long haul, but the crushing run in the third quarter was ultimately the deciding factor.
Richland placed just five players in the scoring column, but four went for double figures, with Shelby Higgins’ knocking down 14 points to lead the 10-A champs.
Gentry did her part and then some, posting a game-high 24 points, while Cooper and Dunivan each added seven.
Despite the loss, Cornersville will return to its home court on Friday night and will host Eagleville in the opening round of the Region 5-A tournament.
Cornersville 10 13 7 10 — 40
Richland 12 12 14 16 — 54
Cornersville: Ady Gentry 24, Annamarie Cooper 7, Emma Kate Dunivan 7, Camille Franklin 2.
Richland: Shelby Higgins 14, Katelyn Bass 13, Mary Avery McNeese 13, Bailey Blair 10, Danny Lynn Galloway 4.
3-Point goals: Cornersville (3): Cooper, Dunivan, Gentry; Richland (6): McNeese 2, Bass 2, Higgins, Galloway.
Halftime score: Richland 24, Cornersville 23.
