Following an eight-day break from playing action, Coach Richard Robertson put out a re-tooled Bulldog team on the floor against visiting 6A foe Stanhope-Elmore.

 

While not overly pleased with the performance, the Bulldogs did pick up their second win is as many games in beating Elmore 66-59. The win evens Andalusia’s overall record at 2-2.

 

Senior forward Renaldo McClain led the way by scoring 16 of his game high 32 points in the fourth quarter. McClain finished with 12 field goals, and was 8-of-15 from the free throw line.

 

“We had go in and get No. 24 (D. Jackson) in foul trouble. It was the only way we could win. We were able to establish an inside game, but it wasn’t too pretty,” Robertson said afterwards.

 

The Bulldogs saw a 33-24 halftime lead evaporate behind a 20-point effort from Elmore in the third quarter. The Mustangs took their last lead of the game at 44-43 at quarters end.

 

McClain then took over in the fourth quarter. His three-point play put the Bulldogs back in front to stay at 46-44. Another basket made it a four-point lead at 48-44.

 

A basket by Rodney Johnson upped the lead to 53-46 with 6:30 remaining. The Mustangs responded getting two baskets from Jackson to trim the gap back to four at 54-50 with 3:30 left.

 

A runner by J. Julian pulled Elmore within three at 55-52.

 

McClain answered taking the ball at the high post driving through Jackson for the basket and foul. McClain was awarded the continuance and his subsequent free throw made it 58-52. The foul was Jackson’s fifth, sending him to the bench.

 

It was a free throw game from that point. The Bulldogs made 4-of-7 over the next minute to enjoy their biggest lead of the half at 64-54.

 

A three-pointer by Julian closed it back to seven at 64-57. The two teams traded baskets in the final 30 seconds.

 

The Bulldogs got a lift from Jamal Simmons who ran the team at the point guard position.

 

“Jamal got us into our offense. We’re going with the guys who can do the job. I can live with that,” Robertson said.

 

Besides McClain, Andalusia got 13 points from Johnson and 12 from Jermaine Shakespeare. Justin Sightler chipped in 5 points.

The Bulldogs made 24 field goals and were 18-of-34 from the line.

 

In the B-team game, Stanhope-Elmore took a 45-42 win. Andrae Leslie scored 13 points and Zach Couch had 12 for the Bulldogs.