Big second half sends Bulldogs past Greenville

Published 4:43 pm Monday, January 29, 2024

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Andalusia fell behind in the first half but came out with a second half surge and defeated Greenville, 67-54, in the first varsity boys’ game of the Beat the Odds Family Tri-County Showcase on Saturday, Jan. 27.

It was the ninth straight win for the Bulldogs, but it did not come easy. The offenses sputtered before Jayleen Washington scored the opening basket. Jordan Stallworth hit a three for a 3-2 lead, and the teams then traded baskets. Calvin Daniels went off the glass for a 5-4 lead until the Tigers used an eight-point swing and took control. Erik Rudolph and Joshua Jenkins scored back-to-back layups and opened up a 12-5 lead. Stallworth knocked down his second triple of the frame and cut the deficit to 14-8 at the end of the first period.

Both teams lit up the net with 41 combined points in the second period. Tevin Sigers started the frame with a three and sliced the gap to 14-11. Washington responded back for five straight and increased the cushion to eight. Xavier Hourel added back-to-back buckets as Nashaun Wilson used a free throw and made the score 18-15. Greenville continued to answer the call and maintained its lead. Hudson Kelley scored six points in the frame and helped draw Andalusia closer. Tyler Sigers came up with a huge rebound and found the hoop that evened the score at 28-28. Rudolph, who had six in the first, beat the buzzer as the visitors carried a 34-29 lead into the break.

Stallworth came out from halftime with consecutive strong drives to the basket and cut the gap to one at 34-33. Jenkins delivered a three and widened the lead back to four with 5:25 to go in the third. Following a free throw by Kelley, Stallworth gave the Bulldogs a 38-37 lead. Cadariyus Love converted a layup, and Stallworth stayed hot from the floor for a 42-38 margin. Noah Curry picked up a huge three as the score stood at 47-44 after three.

Laeton Smith scored two quick free throws in the final period. Hourel followed with a put back bucket at the 6:48 mark, and Tyler Sigers had a drive to the hoop. Carter Lowry had the first of his two buckets and built the home lead to 55-44. Rudolph and Washington refused to back down and got the Tigers back to five at 55-50. KJ Sturgeon torched the net for a clutch three with 2:58 remaining in the game, and Tevin Sigers made a layup to push the lead out to double digits again. Smith made a three, while Tyler Sigers erupted the crowd with a dunk. Lowry made a jumper for the final margin as the Bulldogs completed their comeback.

A total of 12 players scored in the win for Andalusia (17-7). Stallworth led with 14 points, Smith chipped in nine, and the Sigers twins along with Kelley all had seven. Hourel garnered six, while Curry finished with five.

Washingon led Greenville (3-19) with 20 points. Rudolph was not far behind with 17 points.

Andalusia will wrap up the regular season on Thursday, Feb. 1, against Florala in a county showdown. The game will be played at LBW beginning at 6 p.m.