The Rockdale Bulldogs were defeated by the Lovejoy Wildcats Tuesday night in the Region 2-AAAAAA tournament consolation game, falling to fourth overall in the region.

The Bulldogs were led in scoring by Darryl Tucker with 12 points, but the Bulldogs struggled to score from the opening tip and were unable to get much production from their guards and bench play.

“The only thing we can do is put this game behind us” Rockdale assistant coach Ty King said. “We’re just going to rally the guys back up.”

It was a blowout from the opening whistle as the Wildcats came out on a 10-0 run with Darrius Bridges scoring four during the stretch.  The Bulldogs first basket of the game came on a layup from Conner Ferrell, but Lovejoy continued their offensive onslaught and carried a 19-4 lead into the second quarter.

The second quarter began with Lovejoy making the first basket on a 3-pointer, but Rockdale showed more efficiency in this quarter than the first. The Bulldogs went on a 4-0 run on back-to-back layups from Tucker, part of his eight points during the period.

Despite Tucker taking on much of the scoring load in the first half, the Wildcats remained well in front and held a 36-19 lead at halftime.

The third quarter opened up with Marlon Currington hitting a 3-pointer for the Wildcats in what was another dominant quarter by Lovejoy. The Wildcats scored 21 points in the third and held the Bulldogs to just 10.

The bulk of the points were scored during a 12-2 Wildcats’ run and Lovejoy extended its lead 57-26 going into the fourth quarter.

Lovejoy didn’t let up in the fourth, applying pressure in a shortened fourth quarter due to the mercy rule. The Wildcats opened the quarter on a 4-0 run on back-to-back layups, but the Bulldogs then went on a 6-2 run that was capped by a 3-pointer by Jalen Jordan and a dunk by Tucker.

Both teams continued to trade baskets throughout the rest of the quarter, but Lovejoy was too much for Rockdale, winning by 34.

Rockdale returns to action Saturday on the road in the first round of the Class AAAAAA state playoffs. The Bulldogs will play the No. 1 seed from Region 4. The Region 4 tournament wraps up Wednesday night with its consolation and championship contests.

State title game times have yet to be set.