JONESBORO — The Buford girls never trailed on their way to a 59-48 win over Mt. Zion Friday night in the second round of the Class AAAA playoffs.
Tory Ozment poured in 15 of her team-high 17 points in the first quarter as the Lady Wolves (24-5) built a 23-9 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. They extended their lead to 34-18 by halftime.
Buford coach Gene Durden said he was pleased with how they came out of the lockerroom.
"We really set the tone in the first four minutes," he said. "We hit some big (3-pointers) and shook them up I think with our press. The girls did a great job. It was a very tough environment."
In the second half the Lady Bulldogs chipped away.using a 21-13 period to pull within 47-39 heading into the fourth quarter. Buford, however, never let the lead get any closer in the final minutes.
Pamela Johnson finished with 11 points andn Marissa Bruce and Audrey Weiner had nine points each for the Lady Wolves.
Buford next will take on Arabia Mountain in the quarterfinals next Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Fort Valley State.
"We're real happy to get into the Elite 8," Durden said. "I don't know much about (Arabia Mountain) but we'll start working on that this week."
