Gallia Academy sophomore Kendra Barnes (center) drives past South Gallia's Meghan Caldwell (left) and Lesley Small (right) during Tuesday night's 39-37 GAHS victory in Mercerville.

slideshow

MERCERVILLE, Ohio — A comeback that came up short.

The South Gallia girls basketball team battled back from a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to tie the game up with 1:29 remaining, but the Lady Rebels could not catch the visiting Blue Angels during a 39-37 GAHS victory.

South Gallia (1-1) began the game with a quick three points but GAHS (1-0) answered with three points of their own at the 5:00 mark. The Lady Rebels went on a 9-2 run to end the opening canto with the 12-5 advantage.

Gallia Academy battled back and took it’s first lead of the game at the 5:00 mark of the second quarter. GAHS hit four free throws to end the quarter and led 21-16 at half.

The Blue Angels out scored South Gallia 11-3 in the third period and held the 32-19 lead headed into the finale. South Gallia scored 10 unanswered points to open the fourth period and the Lady Rebels were in striking distance. The Lady Rebels managed to tie the game twice but GAHS prevailed with the 39-37 victory.

Micah Curfman led the victors with 14 points, two steals and five assists. Chelsy Slone finished with eight points six rebounds and three blocks. Kendra Barnes and Halley Barnes each finished with six points, while Halley Barnes finished with a game-high nine rebounds. Hannah Loveday rounded out the GAHS scoring with five points, while finishing with eight rebounds.

South Gallia’s offensive attack was led by Jasmyne Johnson led SGHS with eight points, followed by Ellie Bostic, Rachel Johnson and Sara Bailey with six points each. Bostic had a team-high six rebounds and four assists. Meghan Caldwell and Lesley Small each finished with four points while Mikayla Poling finished with three points and two steals.

The Blue Angels were 15-of-27 (55.6 percent) from the field, 4-of-9 (44.4 percent) from beyond the arc and 5-of-9 (55.6 percent) from the free throw line. GAHS had 33 rebounds and 23 turnovers in the triumph.

South Gallia shot 11-of-47 (23.4 percent) from the field, 1-of-9 (11.1 percent) from three point range, and 14-of-23 (60.9 percent) from the free throw line. The Lady Rebels pulled down 15 rebounds on the night while committing 14 turnovers.