Lady Bulldogs overtake Lady Saints to win first conference game of season

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Decatur's Abby Tilley (left) puts up a jumper from the three-point line during the third quarter of the Lady Bulldogs-Lady Saints conference basketball contest at Peterson Gym in Decatur Jan. 5. Tilley was the second leading scorer for the Lady Bulldogs, with 11, including the only two three-point baskets of the contest.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Decatur's Abby Tilley (left) puts up a jumper from the three-point line during the third quarter of the Lady Bulldogs-Lady Saints conference basketball contest at Peterson Gym in Decatur Jan. 5. Tilley was the second leading scorer for the Lady Bulldogs, with 11, including the only two three-point baskets of the contest.

DECATUR -- Decatur Bulldog fans were treated to another exciting home game Jan. 5 as the Lady Bulldogs pulled off their first conference win against the Lady Saints from St. Paul.

The home bleachers were nearly full as parents, family members and guests gathered at Peterson Gym in Decatur to watch the Decatur boys' and girls' track teams receive championship rings in a ceremony at halftime of the boys' contest.

It was anything but easy for the Lady Bulldogs as several missed scoring opportunities put Decatur behind, 11-4, at the end of the first quarter. St. Paul continued to extend its lead throughout the second quarter by as much as 10 points. But unlike previous games earlier in the season, the Lady Bulldogs stayed in the game, being down by only eight points at the halftime break.

The Lady Bulldogs fought back late in the third quarter on scoring efforts by Destiny Mejia and Paige Vann and brought Decatur to within four points going into the final eight minutes of the contest. At the 6:26 mark in the fourth quarter a three-point shot by Abby Tilley tied the game at 31 all. As St. Paul was driving toward its basket, Mejia, Vann and two Lady Saints tangled at mid-court over a jump ball. The officials gave the ball to Decatur. One of the St. Paul girls involved in the incident walked off the court and slammed one of the chairs with her fist, immediately drawing a technical foul. The St. Paul coach sent the player to the locker room as part of his disciplinary action over the event. After that, St. Paul came apart and only scored two more times and the Lady Bulldogs took the lead and never gave it up, winning their first conference contest over the St. Paul Lady Saints, 40-35.

The Lady Bulldogs had three players in double figures, Destiny Mejia with 13, followed by Abby Tilley with 11 and Paige Vann with 10. Other Lady Bulldogs contributing to the scoring effort included Jackie Herrera with 4 and Kaylee Morales with 2. Tilley hit two three-point shots, the only ones of the contest.

The Decatur Lady Bulldogs are now 5-10 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

Decatur scheduled to be on the road Jan. 9 when they traveled to Kingston for a 6 p.m. conference matchup with the Lady Yellowjackets (after press time) and Jan. 12 at Omaha to take on the Lady Eagles for a 5:30 p.m. conference contest.

Sports on 01/10/2018