The Alb-Golden Lady Panthers prevailed over the hosting Fruitvale Lady Bobcats, 52-27, in a game which Alba-Golden broke open at the midway point of the third quarter.

Stingy defenses, quick feet and even quicker hands made for a 2-point game, 18-16 Alba-Golden, with 4:53 to play in the third quarter. Up to that point neither team could impose its will. 

Although the Lady Panthers had led the game from the tip-off, the Fruitvale squad refused to go away, pulling to within two points on a nice interior give-and-go.  

On the ensuing possession, Lainey Teel pulled down an offensive rebound and kicked the ball back out to a waiting Joecey Lewers. Lewers hit the long shot and started a 12-3 run to expand the lead. 

Kayleigh Logan scored on two breaks with assists from Kalli Trimble and Payzlee Fitzgerald. Erin Langston drove the length of the court for a lay-in, and Landrie Boyd scored a 3-pointer from the top of the key. 

One of the best sequences of Lady Panther basketball yet this season built a 30-19 lead going into the final quarter. 

Alba-Golden continued the solid performance in the final stanza. Unselfish play and great conditioning saw the Lady Panthers increase their margin of victory. 

Lewers tallied 15 points to top the scorecard with Langston contributing 14. Five other Lady Panthers scored on the day.

The district field will present Alba-Golden with a whole range of challenges, including teams considered underdogs who play their heart out. The Lady Panthers will weather many of these challenges by continuing their unselfish play, maintaining their court awareness and wearing down opponents. 

The win improved them to 4-0 in district play, the Lady Panthers face North Hopkins and Cooper before hosting Como-Pickton Tuesday, Jan. 16.