The Andalusia Lady Bulldogs clinched the regular-season area championship with a 41-38 victory over Clarke County on Friday night in Grove Hill.

Both teams struggled to get much offense going in the opening period.

Defense for both squads started the game strong and limited the scoring opportunities.

Andalusia got a bucket from Shalisa Thomas in the first period, but Clarke County was on top 4-2 heading into the second period.

Thomas and the Lady Bulldogs got rolling in the second period.

Andalusia’s offense caught fire as they sped up the pace of play.

Thomas was hitting everything she shot as she picked up nine points in the second period alone.

Symone Reed, D’Andrea Crittenden and Daniah Lawson had two points each to help put the Lady Bulldogs up 17-11 heading into halftime.

In the third period, Andalusia continued to score, but Clarke County came surging back.

Clarke County had one player connect on four 3-pointers and also four free throws for a total of 18 points in the third period.

Thomas kept the score close as she shot 5-for-6 from the free-throw line in the third period.

Morgan Bledsoe had two points and Crittenden had one point for the Lady Bulldogs in the third period.

Clarke County’s flurry of 3-pointers put them on top 32-25 heading into the final period.

In the final frame, Andalusia’s defense became ruthless as they began to smother the Clarke County offense.

The 3-point shooting that gave Clarke County the lead in the third period was nonexistent in the fourth period thanks to the Andalusia defense.

For Andalusia’s offense, Eryanna Sheridan caught fire as she accounted for six points for the Lady Bulldogs in the final period.

Thomas continued her strong night from the free-throw line as she shot 3-for-4 in the fourth period.

For the night, Thomas was 9-for-11 from the free-throw line.

Reed finished the fourth period with three points.

Katie Black and Crittinden had two points each as the Lady Bulldogs capped off a 41-38 victory.

Thomas led the Lady Bulldogs with 19 points.

Sheridan finished the night with six points.

Reed and Crittenden each tacked on five points.

Black, Lawson and Bledsoe ended the night with two points each to help the Lady Bulldogs pull out the win.

With the win, the Lady Bulldogs clinch the regular-season area title.

Winning the regular-season area title means the Lady Bulldogs will host the area tournament in February.