DECATUR -- The Decatur senior girls' basketball team played one of its best games of the season when it hosted the Union Christian Eagles at Peterson Gym in Decatur on Jan. 26. This was the final regular season meeting between the Bulldogs and Eagles.
The Lady Eagles were the first to score at the 6:55 mark in the first quarter on a one-point free throw. At the 6:41 mark the Lady Bulldogs hit a pair of free throws to take a 2-to-1 lead. A one-point lead changed hands six times before the Bulldogs hit a one-point free throw at the 0:34 mark to tie at 9 each. The first quarter ended with Decatur on top, 12 to 11.
Decatur took control of the second quarter, building a five-point lead in the first two minutes. Union Christian mounted a five-point rally to tie the game at 16 at the 4:42 mark. In the closing seconds of the quarter, the Lady Bulldogs took a 20-to-18 lead going into the break.
The Lady Bulldogs maintained a two-point lead for the first two minutes of the third quarter, but the Lady Eagles mounted a slow comeback to take back the lead at the end of the third, 33 to 28.
Union Christian extended its lead to 11 at the 2:40 point of the fourth quarter. A pair of two-point layups by Hailey Burden and Cameron Shaffer began a rally for the Lady Bulldogs with a little over two minutes left in the game. The Lady Bulldogs pulled within four points with less then 10 seconds to play. Reyna Maciel hit a three-point shot from the right wing to bring Decatur to within one with only eight seconds showing on the clock. The buzzer sounded before the Lady Bulldogs could regain possession of the ball, giving the Lady Eagles a 45-to-44 win.
This was one of the best showings for the Lady Bulldogs all season. Jeff Melton worked long hours to bring his team to this point. For Decatur, the girls team is finally playing as one. A victory is possible in the next few games.
Leading scorers for the Lady Bulldogs were Cameron Shaffer with 16, followed by Hailey Burden with 12. Others scoring points included Liticia Fuentes with six, Meagan Smith and Reyna Maciel each with three, followed by Celine Prelle and Lidia Soto each with two.
The Lady Bulldogs traveled to Hartford Jan. 29. Once again Decatur lost by two points, 35 to 33.
Sports on 02/03/2016