The Clinton County Lady Bulldogs ended its spectacular season Tuesday night in the first round of the 16th District Tournament at the hands of the Cumberland County Panthers, 75-72.

In a game that had both ups and downs for Clinton County, the Lady Dawgs left everything out on the floor, but fell short in the end, finishing the season with a 24-6 record.

In the first quarter, it was Cumberland County drawing first blood with a basket at the 7:16 mark.

Senior Ansley Stalcup quickly tied the score at two all on the next possession, but the Lady Panthers scored again taking a two point lead, 4-2.

Kayla Dicken tied the game at four before Cumberland County knocked down a three pointer at the 5:10 mark for a 7-4 lead.

Clinton County’s defense was put to the test has Cumberland County remained hot throughout the game.

Stalcup scored a basket with 4:55 on the clock, but then the Lady Panthers put together a 7-0 run to move ahead, 14-6. Both teams finished the quarter with four points each, but the small run by Cumberland County put the Lady Panthers up by eight at the end of the quarter, 18-10.

During the firs four minutes of the second quarter, Clinton County tightened up and put together an 8-3 run to close the gap to three points, 21-18.

Cumberland County continued to put points on the board and extended its lead late in the period. By halftime, Clinton County found itself down by 10 points, 32-22.

Much of the third quarter saw Clinton County fighting to get back into the game and at the 2:18 mark, Stalcup hit two free throws to cut the lead back to two points, 38-36.

In the final two minutes of the period, Cumberland County managed to put a 9-2 run together, mostly from the foul line, to take a 49-38 lead by the end of the third.

Cumberland County led by as much as 14 points in the fourth quarter, but a three point play by Stalcup started a run for the Lady Dawgs to put Clinton County back in the game.

Bree Boils added to that run with a huge three pointer, one of only two in the game for Clinton County, at the 4:11 mark to cut the lead to seven points, 59-52.

During the final four minutes, Clinton County fought hard and gave themselves a chance to win the game in the final seconds.

Up to the final 23 seconds of the game, Clinton County outscored the Lady Panthers 18-11 to tie the score at 70.

The Lady Panthers went up two points on two free throws with 17.7 remaining and Clinton County turned the ball over on the next possession. With no choice but to foul to stop the clock, Cumberland County hit one of two from the line to move ahead three points, 73-70 with 11.6 remaining.

Joelie Hicks was fouled on the next possession where she hit two of two to cut the lead to one point, 73-72.

Clinton County fouled on the inbounds pass with 5.4 left, where the Lady Panthers hit two of two for a three point lead.

On the final possession, Clinton County’s last hope to continue the game misfired, knocking the Lady Dawgs out of the post season, ending the season with the 75-72 loss.

Part of Cumberland County’s success was hitting 30 of 36 from the foul line for the game.

The Lady Panthers went on to the finals of the 16th District, losing to Russell County, 58-49.

Seniors Stalcup and Shyanne McWhorter finished their careers with 43 and two points respectively.

Stalcup, who moved into the 1,000 point club last season, finished with 1,921 career points. McWhorter finished her career at Clinton County with 436 points.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Stalcup 43

Dicken 7

Hicks 7

Boils 5

Campbell 4

Hopper 4

McWhorter 2

Senior Shyanne McWhorter battled for a loose ball during Clinton County’s first round game against Cumberland County on Tuesday of last week. The Lady Dawgs were defeated in a down to the wire finish, 75-72.

Senior Ansley Stalcup put up a shot during Clinton County’s first round district game against Cumberland County. Stalcup finished her career with a game high 43 points and 1,921 career points.