The Class AA third-ranked Lady Wolves didn't let that stop them from making a statement in their regular season-ending, 47-43 victory over the eighth-ranked Lady Spartans at the Buford gym.
Buford (18-7, 10-0 in Region 6A-AA) started quickly with two Kaela Davis 3-pointers for a 6-0 run to open the game and then held off the Lady Spartans down the stretch.
It won't make any highlight reels but the victory was earned for Buford, which was playing without starter McKenzie Darrah and then watched as Christina Nelson left early in the first quarter with an ankle injury. Despite the setbacks, the Lady Wolves forced 13 turnovers and outrebounded GAC 23-18 for the game.
"Never a good time to have injuries but I thought the girls stepped up to the challenge against a very good team," Buford coach Gene Durden said. "Both teams played really good defense. I think this is a good way to end the regular season to help you prepare for the playoffs and realize that you can be beat on any given night."
The Lady Wolves (18-7, 10-0 in Region 6A-AA) did the little things well when they counted holding the Lady Spartans to just three points over the final 4:37 of the game. Davis scored what would be the decisive basket with 1:21 left for a 43-40 lead and then pulled down three key rebounds in the final minute that led to the final four points.
Davis would finish with 16 points, nine rebounds, and three assists to lead Buford.
GAC (16-7, 3-4 in subregion) had three solid chances in the final 30 seconds to cut into the lead but could not convert as Buford blocked two shots and the Lady Spartans missed a pair of free throws.
Kallie Case finished with 10 points and Emily Adams had seven points, five rebounds, and two blocks for Buford.
GAC was paced by Sydni Means with 12 points. Briana Cummings had 11 points and nine rebounds and Sierra Lawrence finished with eight points for the Lady Spartans.
After a slow start with three turnovers in the first two minutes, GAC finally got going answering Buford's opening run with an 11-0 run to grab the lead. Buford answered that run with a 10-2 run to reclaim the lead at 16-13.
Neither team was very sharp offensively as the defenses combined to force 15 turnovers and swipe five steals in the first half. The two teams would trade baskets at the end of the first half to finish in a 20-20 tie.
The third quarter was a series of runs as Buford used a 7-0 spurt to take a 28-23 lead. GAC answered right back with a 7-0 run of its own for a 30-28 lead but Buford would close out the period with another 7-0 run to take the lead for good, 35-30 heading into the fourth quarter.
GAC would get as close as 41-40 on a Means layup with 4:37 left but could muster just one field goal the rest of the way. Buford hit 5-of-8 free throws in the final minute to preserve the win.
Buford's Andraya Carter, center, looks for room to shoot underneath the basket and pressure from the Greater Atlanta Christian defense on Tuesday in Buford.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2012/2/245569