Lady Falcons advance to Elite Eight

JONESBORO - The Flowery Branch girls basketball team is making the most of its first-ever trip to the state playoffs.

The Lady Falcons used a 9-2 run to start the third quarter to blow open a close game en route to a 51-41 win over Grayson Saturday night in the second round at Mt. Zion High School.

Flowery Branch will get a fourth shot at No. 1 Gainesville at 4 p.m. Monday, this time for a spot in the Final Four.

Gainesville has beaten the Lady Falcons three times this season.

The Big Three for Flowery Branch - Kristina Tyler, Beth Adcock and Courtney Newton - was all they needed to advance to Monday night's Elite Eight game against No. 1 Gainesville.

Tyler, who scored 27 in a first-round win over Haralson County, poured in 20 against Grayson. Adcock had 16 and Newton 15 for the Lady Falcons.

Things didn't start well for Flowery Branch, which fell behind 10-4 following a 6-0 Grayson run. But the Lady Falcons answered with a 7-0 run to retake the lead and closed out the first half with a 9-4 run for a 23-30 lead.

After the big run to begin the second half, Flowery Branch maintained a 10-point lead most of the second half. Grayson cut it seven twice but could not get any closer.

Grayson was led by Sara Mudd with 13 points, but she only had 3 in the second half after scoring half of Grayson first half points.