The Clinton County Lady Bulldogs came close to picking up a win against neighboring Wayne County last week in a game that came down to the final seconds of play. Although the outcome of the game didn’t give the Lady Dawgs a “W,” the effort was there and that will be a factor in how Clinton County performs in the district tournament on February 19.

Clinton County started the game a little on the slow side. Wayne County was hitting field goals and for the most part Clinton County was doing a good job on the offensive side of the floor.

With under a minute remaining in the first quarter, Clinton County cut the lead to three points, 13-10. Wayne County then hit four free throws to end the period, 17-10.

But in in the second quarter, Clinton County came out and made it a game.

Tara Elmore drove the baseline with 7:25 on the clock and scored a basket and was fouled. She hit the free throw for the three point play and cut the lead to four points, 17-13.

Wayne County hit a three pointer to move back up by seven, but a field goal by Kayla Dicken and Ansley Stalcup cut the lead to three points, 20-17, with 5:03 remaining in the half.

Clinton County’s run continued as Wayne County added a basket before two more by Dicken and Stalcup tied the score at 22.

Wayne County hit a three pointer to move up by three with 2:42 on the clock, but an inside bucket by Dicken and two free throws by Stalcup gave the Lady Dawgs a one point lead, 26-25.

With less than a minute to play in the first half, Dicken hit a field goal to put the Lady Dawgs up by three points, 28-25.

As time was running out in the first half, Wayne County hit a last second three pointer to even the score at halftime, 28-28.

During the third quarter, both teams struggled from the floor, but the pace of the game was still fast and the Lady Dawgs weren’t backing down.

By the end of the period, Clinton County found itself down by only two points, 36-34, with only eight minutes remaining in the game.

As the fourth quarter got underway, Bree Boils hit a jumper to tie the score at 36, but Wayne County answered with a field goal to move up by two.

Elmore tied the score again on the next possession, but a three pointer by Wayne County gave the Lady Cardinals a three point edge, 41-38, with 6:45 on the clock.

During the next two minutes, Clinton County’s defense held up, while on offense, the Lady Dawgs hit six free throws to take a three point lead, 44-41.

Midway through the period, Wayne County cut the lead to one point, followed by four free throws to take the lead away from Clinton County, 45-44.

A scoring drought by both teams lasted for several minutes until Wayne County scored to extend its lead by three points, 47-44 with a minute remaining.

Dicken went to the line and made two free throws to cut the lead to one, but Wayne County hit four free throws in a row for a five point lead with 24 seconds remaining.

On Clinton County’s next possession, Stalcup was fouled and she hit two of two to cut the lead to three points, 51-48.

Clinton County recovered the ball for the final possession and called a time out with nine seconds remaining in the game.

As Clinton County inbounded the ball and seconds ticked away, Stalcup threw up a last second three pointer from the right wing that hit the front of the rim and fell short, giving Wayne County the three point victory, 51-48.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Dicken 20

Stalcup 17

Elmore 6

Beard 3

Boils 2

Clinton County played McCreary Central Tuesday, too late for press deadline, and will host Allen County/Scottville on Saturday night after the conclusion of the boys’ game against South Laurel.

The Lady Dawgs will also travel to Taylor County on Monday, February 11, for a junior varsity/varsity game.

Tara Elmore went up for a shot in the lane during Tuesday night’s game against Wayne County. The Lady Dawgs lost the game by three points, 51-48. Elmore finished with six points.

Kayla Dicken scored at will during the first half of Clinton County’s game against Wayne County. The Lady Dawgs took the game to the final seconds where a three point shot was off the mark that would have tied the game and sent it into overtime.

Anlsey Stalcup put up the shot to tie the game with one second on the clock. The shot came up short and Clinton County lost by three.