COVINGTON, Ga. - A slow start offensively doomed the Alcovy Lady Tigers (8-8, 1-2) for the majority of the game as they dropped their second region game of the season Tuesday night in a 46-33 loss to the Grovetown Lady Warriors (8-6, 2-1).

Coming off their first region win of the season last Saturday against Heritage, the momentum quickly went out of the Lady Tigers’ favor, as they struggled to put points on the board the first two-quarters of the game.

Despite scoring only 12 points in the first two quarters of the game, the Lady Tigers defense was able to soften the blow by only giving up 15 points to the Lady Warriors going into halftime. This kept head coach Justin Hunter and the rest of the Lady Tigers optimistic going into the second half of the game.

“It was a back and forth game [in the first half, Hunter said. “We were down by a couple points, but it was still an even game up to that point.”

Coming out of the halftime down three, the Lady Tigers had a good chance to reset and take the lead, but the third quarter would prove to be the worst of the night for Alcovy. 

The Lady Warriors came out of the half on fire, outscoring the Lady Tigers 21-4 in the third quarter, taking a 36-16 lead going into the fourth.

“The third quarter killed us when you look at it,” Hunter said. “Looking back on it, we should have changed our tempo.”

After a tough third quarter for the Lady Tigers, a change in tempo going into the fourth quarter by coach Hunter would create the best performance of the night for the Lady Tigers.

Crucial three-pointers from seniors Serai Johnson and Anyalia Lundy would shorten the Grovetown lead to within ten, but it still would not be enough as the Lady Warriors would hold onto the lead as time expired, beating the Lady Tigers 46-33.

“I [was happy] with the fourth quarter because we were able to create offense off of our defense, and continued to pressure the ball,” Hunter said.

The Lady Tigers were led offensively by Lundy who had ten points as well as senior Ajoyous Tuggle who finished with nine points 

After falling to 1-2 in region play, the Lady Tigers now sit in fourth place in AAAAA Region 3 standings. 

Even in a tough loss, coach Hunter still believes there is more to learn about this team and more still more that can be accomplished with a good amount of basketball left to be played on the schedule as the Lady Tigers continue into the back half of the season.

“We are learning about ourselves. When we played Greenbrier, we pressed the whole game, and when we slowed it down, it helped us stay in the game, but this game was the inverse,” Hunter said. “Going into the third quarter, we needed to change it into up-tempo, so what we are learning is that we can do both types of speeds.”

The Lady Tigers will continue their region schedule at home as they prepare to take on the Lakeside Panthers (3-7, 1-2) Friday, Jan. 10.