By By Chandler Myers
A fourth-quarter push was not enough to get the No. 10 Escambia Academy Lady Cougars past the Pickens Academy Lady Pirates as the Lady Pirates won 52-47 in Carrollton on Friday night.
The Lady Cougars (15-5, 6-3) played a tight game with the Lady Pirates, but the second and third quarters proved to be the difference in the game.
In the first quarter, the Lady Cougars led by head coach Heath Gibson played point-for-point with the Lady Pirates ending the quarter in a draw at 10.
Pickens grabbed the lead in the second period as they outscored the Lady Cougars 17-12 and went into halftime on top 27-22.
Following halftime, the Lady Pirates extended their lead enough to pick up the win.
A 15-point third quarter for the Lady Pirates helped them extend their lead to nine as they held the Lady Cougars to 11 points.
In the fourth quarter, the Gibson-led Lady Cougars pushed the Lady Pirates to the brink as they moved within to points at one point, but would not get any closer.
The EA Lady Cougars outscored the Lady Pirates 14-10, but could not gain enough momentum to pick up a victory.
The Lady Cougars were led by junior forward Amber Huskey’s 22 points. Huskey also recorded eight rebounds, five steals, an assist and a blocked shot.
Junior guard Rachel Fuller added eight points for the Lady Cougars, while recording two steals, two assists and a rebound.
Lady Cougars senior center Jordan Jaye scored five points in the loss with eight rebounds, five steals, a block and an assist.
The Lady Cougars next game is Friday night in Canoe against Lowndes Academy. Tip off is 6 p.m.