Lady Devils slide past Spartans in state, 65-55

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Alexis Johnson scores against the Campbell Lady Spartans. Shine Rankin Jr./sgasports.net

February 20, 2013

Lady Devils slide past Spartans in state, 65-55

Becky Taylor CNHI The Tifton Gazette Wed Feb 20, 2013, 11:51 PM EST

TIFTON — The outsiders from Smyrna, the Campbell Lady Spartans could not find a way inside and saw themselves as the latest victims of the Tift County Lady Devils, who won 65-55 in the first round of the Class AAAAAA state tournament. They will host a second round game Saturday at 6 p.m. against the Newton Lady Rams. Newton defeated Westlake, 53-51, Tuesday night.

Campbell's pattern of attack was evident from the start. Pass around the perimeter until they found an open shot. On one of their rare trips down the lane, they found the Lady Devils' defense there to gum up the works. Their early shots refused to fall and Tift rushed out to a 9-2 lead in the first six minutes. Campbell wrangled a couple more baskets at the end of the quarter, but were behind 11-6.

After a slow start in the second quarter, the Lady Devils found their rhythm. After Kanchi Patel hit a three-pointer at 3:12, the Lady Spartans could manage no more. Alexis Johnson would personally outscore the opposition during the quarter and Tift was up 25-11 at halftime.

The scoreless streak would extend to five minutes before Simone Spencer's trey gave them their 14th point of the evening, but a bucket by Johnson and free throw by DeJai Jordan meant that they were still doubled up 28-14. They would grab a bit of momentary fire, but the Lady Devils quickly extinguished it. On the offensive end, the quarter belonged to Brecklyn Greene, who scored nine, including the Lady Devils' lone three of the night. Campbell would break even in the quarter, but were still down by a distant 14, 44-30, going into the final period of play.

The fourth would turn into a battle of wills. While the first three quarters were sparse with action from the charity stripe, the final eight minutes would be loaded with them. The Lady Devils would score their last 13 points in this manner and made 24 of 41 on the night. The press would give them fits in the fourth and temporarily knock them out of rhythm and any desire for a quick finish was halted by the continuous free throw shooting. Campbell would score in bursts and even cut it down to a seven-point game at 6:04, but could get no closer. As Johnson walked to the line after an intentional foul with 10 seconds remaining, Julie Conner sent in the bench to close out the final seconds. Johnson's free throws were the final points of the game, a 65-55 victory. The Lady Devils are now 22-6 and advance to the second round.

Johnson led Tift with 18 points. Brakia Bateman and Greene each scored 14. For the Lady Spartans, D'Aisa Cain led the way with 18 and Colbi Neilson had 10.

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