The game was played at Robbins, and although the Mustangs were playing on their home court, they were, officially, the visiting team, and the Bulldogs were the home team.
North Moore, playing a tight 1-3-1 zone, kept Thomasville from working the ball inside, and took the lead midway through first quarter.
The Mustangs led at the end of the period by a score of 12-9.
In the second quarter the lead changed hands three times. Lavonda Harriott hit a short jump shot to put the Bulldogs ahead 25-23 at the half.
Thomasville outscored North Moore 19-17 in the third quarter to take a four-point lead. The score at the end of the third period was Thomasville 46, North Moore 42.
Casey Wallace brought the Mustangs within one point with a three-point field goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs scored seven points in succession, and led by eight points midway through the final period.
At that point the Mustangs were forced to come out of their zone, and play a more aggressive defensive game.
North Moore committed a number of personal fouls trying to gain possession of the ball, and the Bulldogs converted 9 of 12 free throws successfully in the closing minutes of the game, winning by nine points.
“I was disappointed, of course,” said Mustang coach Cheryl Brewer, “but at the same time I was proud of the way we stayed with them for almost the whole game. We had them by five points at one time, but we had a couple of costly turnovers late in the game that let them (Thomasville) get ahead. Now we have to get ready to play at Maiden on Monday.”
Alicia Hill was high scorer for North Moore with 20 points. Monica Cheek and Kristin Brown scored 13 and 12 points, respectively, for the Mustangs.
Maya Ray was high for Thomasville with 15 points. Sheena Harriott and Luvinnia Flowers scored 13 and 10 points, respectively, for the Bulldogs.
The Lady Mustangs record fell to 15-10 for the season, and they are 12-6 against conference opponents.
North Moore travels to Maiden tonight for the first round of the state playoffs.
Thomasville 9 16 19 20 — 66
North Moore 12 11 17 15 — 57
North Moore — Hill 4 10-12 20; Cheek 4 5-7 13; Brown 4 3-5 12; J. Hussey 2 0-0 6; Wallace 1 0-0 3; Robbins 0 2-3 2; Montjoy 0 1-2 1. Totals – 15 21-29 57.
Thomasville — Ray 3 7-9 15; S. Harriott 4 5-8 13; Flowers 4 2-5 10; Rutledge 3 2-2 8; Crowder 3 2-2 8; Alford 2 1-2 5; L. Harriott 2 0-0 4; Marsh 1 1-2 3. Totals – 22 20-30 66.Three-point goals: North Moore 6 (Hill 2, J. Hussey 2, Brown, Wallace); Thomasville 2 (Ray 2).
