Fourth Quarter Comeback Propels Lady Bears to the Victory over the Lady Bulldogs!

Tuesday, December 3, 2024: Women's Basketball

Baton Rouge, LA

This evening, the Baton Rouge Lady Bears faced off against the Holmes Lady Bulldogs, in a rematch of an earlier meeting between the two teams, held in the Bonne Sante Wellness Center. For most of the game, the Lady Bulldogs controlled the pace until the Lady Bears scored 30 points in the fourth quarter to complete a comeback victory, winning 71-65.

The Lady Bears opened the scoring with a jumper from Shelcie LeBlanc. The Lady Bulldogs quickly took the lead with a corner three-pointer with eight minutes remaining in the first quarter. The game remained competitive as neither team could effectively break through the other's defense. Akiyah Carnes tied the game for the Lady Bears at 12 with just two minutes left in the quarter, but Holmes ended the period with a mini 4-0 run, leading 16-12.

In the second quarter, the Lady Bears struggled offensively, allowing the Lady Bulldogs to take advantage and extend their lead to 10 points, 25-15, with four minutes remaining. Holmes outscored Baton Rouge 18-14 in the second quarter, taking a 34-26 lead into halftime.

Holmes continued their offensive success in the third quarter, building their lead to 13 points at 52-39 with 1:31 remaining. The Lady Bulldogs outscored the Lady Bears 21-15 in the third quarter, heading into the fourth with an 11-point lead, 52-41.

During the break between the third and fourth quarters, Lady Bears Head Coach Paula Lee challenged her team to fight until the end and not give up. The Lady Bears responded with increased defensive pressure, forcing multiple turnovers and disrupting the Lady Bulldogs' offensive rhythm. Sophomore guard Frandreka Keller led the charge for the Lady Bears in the fourth quarter. After five minutes, the Lady Bears had reduced the Lady Bulldogs' lead to just six points, trailing 59-53.

Keller hit a corner three-pointer with 3:55 remaining, tying the game at 59. Holmes briefly regained the lead on the next possession, but the Lady Bears took control back with a mid-range jumper by sophomore forward Akiyah Carnes, bringing the score to 61-60. After a steal and a layup, the Lady Bulldogs went ahead 63-61. Carnes then tied the game again at 63 with another jumper.

Sophomore guard Carlasia Moore was fouled during a drive to the basket and made one of two free throws, putting the Lady Bears ahead 64-63. The Lady Bears capped off the comeback with a 7-2 run, sealing the game at 71-65. They outscored the Lady Bulldogs 30-10 in the fourth quarter.

Frandreka Keller led the Lady Bears with a game-high 20 points. Three Baton Rouge student-athletes scored in double figures, while the Lady Bulldogs were led by Kiara Shelly with 13 points, also featuring three student athletes in double figures.

With this win, the Lady Bears improved to 4-3 for the season, while the Lady Bulldogs fell to 4-5. Despite the loss, Holmes leads the all-time series against Baton Rouge with 13 wins to 9 losses.

Lady Bears Highlights:

Frandreka Keller led the Lady Bears with 20 points.

Shelcie LeBlanc added 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Kinsley James scored 10 points with 2 steals.

J'nyria Kelly grabbed 14 rebounds.

The Lady Bears will return to action on Monday, December 9, 2024, when they host the Copiah-Lincoln Lady Wolves at the Bonne Sante Wellness Center, starting at 5:00 PM.

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