Newton put up a valiant effort but Tucker ran away with the game in the fourth quarter, winning the 2-AAAAAA region championship, 79-72.

It was the perfect game for the Lady Rams. With a balanced attack on offense, good defense and made free throws the Lady Rams played exceptionally well. You couldn’t ask for more, but Tucker’s size and the fact the Lady Tigers got to the line 45 times compared to 32 for Newton gave Tucker the edge and the region title to Tucker.

Neither team could really take a commanding lead in this one, with both teams leaving it all on the floor it was a back-and-forth affair with Tucker leading 52-47 at the end of the third.

The fourth quarter was all Tucker. The Lady Tigers went on a 17-9 run and led by 13 with 3:15 to play.

That run was the biggest difference. The Lady Rams got as close as within five with 21.2 seconds left. Tucker got to the line, missed both free throws and with every other Tucker player on the other side of the court somehow the shooter got the rebound as the Lady Rams had a miscommunication and gave Tucker the ball back.

Tucker went back to the line and iced the game.

Four Newton players were in double figures. Alexcia Chatman scored 15, Kayla Smith added 14 and Imani Broadnax and Traleea Jones each added 13.

Bria Bass led Tucker with 27 including five three-pointers. Najla Shamsid-Deen added 22.