Despite grabbing a game opening lead Friday night in Franklin-Simpson High school, the Clinton County Lady Bulldogs were unable to get much of anything else in proper working order the rest of the night, eventually giving up the season opener contest by 22 points, 53-31.

Clinton County jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a game opening basket by Braylee Mann, but the Lady Wildcats came roaring back against the Lady Bulldogs.

Overtaking the lead during the first minute of action, Franklin – Simpson never relinquished the lead again, leaving the Lady Bulldogs playing catch-up basketball the remainder of the night.

The Lady Bulldogs trailed 8-2 early in the quarter, but finished the final three minutes of that period outscoring the Lady Wildcats 4-3 on field goals by Abby Young and Alexis Roberts to end the quarter trailing by five, 11-6.

Roberts opened up the second quarter with a quick basket to pull the Lady Dawgs to three points, 11-8, but Franklin all but shut down Clinton County’s offense for the remainder of the first half as they rolled out to control a 12 point lead at halftime, 23-11.

Franklin-Simpson continued to dominate both ends of the floor throughout the entire second period of play, with the Lady Bulldogs becoming more and more frustrated with their own game as the contest progressed.

By the end of the third quarter, the writing was on the wall for the Lady Dawgs, who trailed by 16 at the end of that period of play, 37-21, going on to give up the 22 point loss to the Lady Wildcats, 53-31.

The Lady Bulldogs hit only 18 percent of their field goals taken, dropping in seven on 38 attempts, including hitting just one of 12 attempts from beyond the three-point arc, for eight percent long-range shooting.

From the line, Clinton County hit 52 percent, successful on 16 of the 31 attempted free throws.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Mann 12

Roberts 11

Young 4

Cope 2

Stockton 2

The Lady Bulldogs traveled to Monroe County on Tuesday night to take on the Lady Falcons and will play host to the Lady Hornets of Metcalfe County on Friday night.

Both contests are double-header nights with the Bulldogs with the girls’ varsity games set to tip at 6:00 p.m.