The Clinton County Lady Bulldogs’ season came to a close Tuesday night in the first round of the 16th District Tournament held at Russell County.

The Lady Dawgs, 6-25, lost to eventual champions Russell County, 62-48.

Clinton County definitely held its own during the game and the improvement of the team’s ability on the hardwood showed during the opening round of the district tournament, but the outcome saw the Lady Dawgs come up short.

During the first quarter, it was all Russell County as the Lady Lakers jumped out to an 8-2 lead.

Clinton County couldn’t find its groove in the first quarter and was down by 13 points with 1:12 remaining in the first quarter.

Senior Breonia Thurman made a field goal with 53 seconds on the clock to get the Lady Dawgs to within 11 points before the quarter expired, 16-5.

As the second quarter got underway, momentum shifted in favor of the Lady Dawgs as Tara Elmore and Justice Boils made back-to-back goals to cut the lead to seven, 16-9.

Russell County followed with two baskets to extend its lead back to 11, but a 7-0 run by Clinton County saw the Lady Dawgs get to within six points with 1:50 remaining before halftime, 25-19.

Russell County then made three straight free throws to lead by nine points, but a field goal by Ansley Stalcup cut the lead to seven points again, 28-21, with 1:13 on the clock.

Russell County added a basket and Elmore added one for the Lady Dawgs, 30-23.

The Lady Lakers made the final basket of the half with 11 seconds left to take a nine point halftime lead, 32-23.

As the second half got underway, Russell County struck first with a putback off a missed shot.

Thurman dropped in a field goal with 6:14 remaining in the third, but a field goal by Russell County pushed the lead back to 11 points with 5:27 showing on the clock, 36-25.

Thurman again came through for Clinton County with two field goals and a free throw to cut the lead to six points.

Elmore continued with the run on a basket to get the game within four points, 36-32 with 2:20 remaining in the third quarter.

Russell County finished the quarter by making two free throw for a third quarter lead, 38-32.

During the fourth quarter, Clinton County’s determination never stopped. Thurman made the first basket of the period, but three free throws by Russell County pushed the lead back to seven points, 41-34.

The Lady Dawgs cut the lead to four again on a free throw by Shyanne McWhorter and a basket by Thurman, 41-37, with 5:36 remaining in the game.

Russell County made two free throws to lead by six points, but a free throw by Boils cut the lead to five.

Russell County then extended its lead to nine points on back-to-back field goals and would hold off the Lady Dawgs for the remainder of the quarter.

The Lady Dawgs cut the lead to seven points with 1:35 remaining, but that would be as close as Clinton County would come, eventually losing by 14 points, 62-48.

The Lady Lakers scored 24 points in the final quarter, 18 coming from the free throw line.

For the game, Russell County shot 81.8 percent on 27 of 33 from the free throw line.

Russell County went on to win the 16th District Tournament against Metcalfe County on Thursday, 54-46.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Thurman 17

Elmore 11

Lowhorn 8

Stalcup 6

J. Boils 3

McWhorter 2

B. Boils 1

Senior Veronica Lowhorn knocked down a three pointer in the first half against Russell County in the opening round of the 16th District Tournament. Lowhorn finished her final game with eight points.

Senior Breonia Thurrman poured in 17 points during her final game as a Lady Bulldog against the Lakers of Russell County in the first round of the district tournament.