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RUTLEDGE – One would expect a game where the score was either tied or switched hands 27 times to be a very close contest and that was certainly the case Friday night at The Den.

Grainger and South Greene renewed their rivalry in a non-district matchup where the Lady Grizzlies were wanting revenge for a 25-point loss on Rebel Hill earlier this season. The two teams battled hard throughout the game before South Greene pulled away late for a 61-54 victory.

“It was a good ball game and we wanted to make South Greene play four quarters tonight,” Grainger head coach Rusty Bishop said. “I know the score wasn’t pretty up there but if you take away about a four-minute stretch, it was a little more competitive so I knew we would have a good shot tonight. Both teams weren’t very good defensively in the first half and each made adjustments at halftime but they just made a few more shots than we did down the stretch.”

South Greene hit four three’s in the opening period as they rallied from a four-point deficit to take the lead. They outscored Grainger 11-2 to round out the first.

Grainger was able to get their offense going in the second period as Adison Hayes, Addison Brickey and Alyvia Sneed combined to hit four threes but it wasn’t enough as Haley Brooks’ 14 points in the first half gave the Lady Rebels a 36-34 halftime lead.

Maddie Hurst opened the second half with a basket and then Marly Tanner netted four points in a row as the Lady Grizz claimed the lead. Despite some baskets by the Lady Rebels in the third, Grainger maintained their advantage and went to the fourth period with a 44-43 lead. Hurst’s basket with 5:05 remaining in the contest put Grainger on top 48-47 but that was the last time the Lady Grizzlies led in the contest.

Madison Hensley was the go-to player for South Greene as she scored all 11 of her points in the fourth period. Hayes got the Lady Grizzlies to within one possession with a shot, foul and free throw to make it 57-54 but Henley calmly sank all four of her free throw attempts in the final minute to guarantee the South Greene win.

Brooks’ 14 point lead the Lady Rebels. Ryleigh Gregg scored 12 in addition to Hensley’ 11. Hurst finished the contest with 16 points with Hayes right behind her with 15.

“They went triangle and two on defense on us and was daring someone other than Maddy or Adison to beat them,” Bishop said of South Greene’s defensive game plan. “I don’t know if we were just too wide open but we tried to force the ball to Makayla in the post but we couldn’t. We played hard and I think maybe for the first time all year, we played with the intensity that is required for four quarters to win a basketball game. I’m not into moral victories but we are getting better.”

Grainger’s long home stand continues on Tuesday as they host Union County.