The Clinton County Lady Bulldogs kicked off the season Monday night with the first home game of the year against 4th Region rival Franklin-Simpson.

Clinton County’s hard work and determination paid off in the first half, but in the end, the Lady Wildcats prevailed, 48-28.

Last year’s first game match up saw the Lady Dawgs stack up a 50 point loss against Franklin Simpson. This year was a different story.

During the first quarter, the Lady Wildcats scored the first five points of the game. Clinton County then tied the score on two free throws by Ansley Stalcup and a three pointer by senior Breonia Thurman with 4:35 on the clock.

Clinton County then took the lead on a free throw by Alex Beard.

It didn’t take long for both teams to shake the “first game jitters.” Franklin-Simpson came down the floor with 3:05 on the clock and knocked down a basket for a one point lead, followed by another basket to move up by three, 9-6.

Thurman then scored two more of her 11 total points to move to within one point, 8-9 with more than two minutes on the clock. The Lady Dawgs took the lead again on a basket by Stalcup, 10-9, but Franklin led at the end of the period, 11-10, by scoring with 54 second remaining.

As the second quarter got underway, Beard knocked down two free throws to regain the lead, 12-11.

Franklin then scored two baskets to pick up its biggest lead since the opening minutes of the game, 15-12. Stalcup scored a basket with 3:59 on the clock to cut the lead to within one point, but Franklin knocked down a three pointer from the wing to move up by four with 3:30 on the clock, 18-14.

Franklin-Simpson started to gain confidence and baskets started falling for the Lady Wildcats. Thurman would score a goal just before the buzz to end the half, but Franklin-Simpson had already established a lead. The Lady Bulldogs went into the locker room at halftime down by eight points, 24-16.

To start the third quarter, Clinton County cut the lead to six points on two free throws by Thurman. From that point on, Clinton County struggled to put the ball in the basket.

Franklin-Simpson went up by 10 points on back-to-back goals, 28-18, followed by a three pointer for a 13 point lead, 31-18.

Beard stopped the bleeding with a basket but back-to-back three pointers by the Lady Wildcats extended its lead, 37-20.

Beard went to the line with 1:45 on the clock and knocked two in to get to within 15 points, 37-22, followed by a basket from Thurman, 37-24.

Franklin-Simpson’s three point shooting during the third quarter set the tone for the reminder of the game as the Lady Wildcats hit another from beyond the arc for a 41-24 lead.

Franklin scored the final points of the quarter with less than a minute on the clock for a 43-24 lead.

During the final period, both teams struggled from the floor. Clinton County only posted four points for the period while Franklin-Simpson scored five to take the 48-28 win.

Clinton County’s next game will come on Friday night as the team travels to Russell County to face Garrard County. The Lady will also travel to Russell County on Saturday to take on Knox County. Game times are set for 6 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. respectively.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Thurman 11

Stalcup 8

Beard 5

Thrasher 2

M. Campbell 2

Alex Beard drove the baseline during the first half against Franklin-Simpson Monday night. Clinton County lost the game, 48-28.

Ansley Stalcup drove the lane and put up a shot during the first half of Monday’s night’s season opener. Stalcup finished the game with eight points.

Breonia Thurman pulled up for a shot Monday night against Franklin-Simpson. Thurman led the scoring for the Lady Dawgs with 11 points.