The Alcovy Lady Tigers finished up their season as the third-ranked team in Region 2-AAAAAA, defeating Rockdale County 42-36 Tuesday night in tournament consolation action.

Ayanna Wimbush led the Lady Tigers with 15 points in Alcovy’s 10th win of the season. The Lady Bulldogs fell to 13-9 on the season.

After a tumultuous start to the year, Alcovy coach David Baker said his team showed him a lot that he can build upon heading into the state tournament and next season.

“We’ve been in all kinds of situations, but this is what I took this job for: to see what’s out there and exactly what I need to work on with them,” Baker said.

The game opened with the first points coming from the Lady Bulldogs on a pair of free throws from Sydney Fields. The Lady Tigers responded with a 4-0 run on back-to-back scores from Tierra Hodges.

Rockdale tied the game on a layup by Sojourner Hall, and the teams continued to trade baskets as quarter reached its conclusion. Alcovy’s Waneshia Morris made a jumper just before the end of the period, giving the Lady Tigers a 9-8 lead.

The second quarter began with Rockdale going on a 4-0 run on a free throw from Brianna Patton and a 3-pointer from Jonai Jackson. The Lady Tigers responded with a 4-0 run of their own on free throws and a layup.

Both teams continued going back-and-forth down the stretch of the quarter, but the Lady Bulldogs held a 16-15 lead at the half.

The third quarter opened up with both teams trading baskets until Alcovy went on a 5-0 run. Rockdale responded with a 4-0 run on a free throw by Fields and another 3-pointer from Jackson.

Alcovy battled back and took the lead on a free throw by Quantasia Perry. Daja Barnes hit a 3-pointer to give the Lady Tigers a 30-26 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Rockdale scored the first point of the fourth quarter on a free throw, and late in the quarter, Alcovy pushed its lead to five before the Lady Bulldogs cut into the lead on a layup from Patton.

The Lady Tigers held on to the lead and Perry put the game away on a pair of free throws for the six-point win. 

“The game plan going (in) is to protect the basketball. We have to protect the basketball because we’re probably going to play a good disciplined, kind of team” Baker said.

The Lady Tigers face Hillgrove tonight at 6 p.m. in the first round of the state tournament.