By David Busman

 

AMERICUS – With the Lady Raiders having won their game, the Southland Raiders were hoping to make it a sweep on Senior Night. However, Brookwood overcame a 12-0 deficit in the first quarter and took a seven-point lead in the fourth to hang on and defeat the Raiders 46-40.

“We weren’t really playing like ourselves this week”, Southland Head Coach Rundy Foster said. “It seemed like we were an entirely different team. We’ve got to move forward and focus on the region tournament.”

The Raiders started out strong as they built a 12-0 lead over Brookwood. However, the Warriors responded with a 14-2 run to get back into the game. The first quarter ended tied 14-14.

The second quarter was a back-and-forth affair between the two teams. With 43 seconds left before halftime, Brookwood had a 21-19 lead, but Saige Batten scored to tie the game at 21-21. However, the Warriors scored before the half ended, and Southland trailed 23-21 at halftime.

With 5:40 to go in the third quarter, Southland trailed 25-23, and Coach Foster decided to take a timeout. However, the Raiders uncharacteristically missed easy layups and committed turnovers. As a result, Brookwood still led 32-29 at the end of the third quarter.

The Warriors scored two more baskets to start the fourth quarter, pulling ahead 36-29.

Southland wasn’t able to score in the fourth quarter until four minutes left in regulation. At that point, Brookwood still led 36-31.

However, a technical foul against the Raiders was a turning point in the game, sealing the Raiders’ fate. The Warriors increased their lead to 46-38, and despite a late rally from Southland, Brookwood emerged victorious 46-40.

Seniors Saige Batten and Harrison Bell were each in double-figures. Bell led Southland in scoring with 13 points and Batten had 12. The Raiders will now turn their attention to the region tournament to be played Thursday and Friday, February 15 and 16, at the GSW Storm Dome.