Lilly, Reed combine for 48 to lead Montevallo to Sub-Regionals

Published 11:28 am Wednesday, February 7, 2018

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Lauryn Lilly, No. 14, led Montevallo with 25 points in a win over Southsid-Selma in the first round of the area tournament. She was one of two players to score 20-plus points as Alasha Reed added 23. (Reporter photo/Keith McCoy)

By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor

MONTEVALLO – Lauryn Lilly and Alasha Reed were on fire in a win or go home area tournament game against Southside-Selma High School on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at Montevallo High School.

Lilly and Reed combined for 48 points to lead the Bulldogs to a 73-35 win over the visiting Panthers to not only clinch a spot in the area tournament championship game on their home floor, but also a spot in the Sub-Regional round of the postseason.

In the first quarter, it was a combination of Lilly, Reed and Takila Hill, but specifically Lilly who got off to an unconscious start.

She ended the first quarter with 12 points thanks to two 3-pointers, four total shots made and a 2-3 mark at the free throw line. Hill added seven points and Reed had four to give the Bulldogs a strong 23-point first quarter.

Montevallo’s defense also stepped up to compliment the offensive production and limited Southside to just eight points in the first eight minutes of action, which led to a 23-8 advantage at the end of one quarter.

It was the start of a defensive performance that limited the Panthers to less than 10 points in all four quarters of the game.

In the second quarter, the Bulldogs had their lowest scoring quarter of the contest, but were still able to post 16 points behind eight made jumpers in the period.

Reed posted six points in the quarter, while Lilly added four along with Keneria Rutledge. The defense limited Southside to just three made jump shots and nine points in the quarter, which allowed Montevallo to take a 39-17 lead into the half.

In the third quarter, free throws became a huge part of the game for Montevallo as they went to the line 10 times in the period.

The Bulldogs went on to hit six of those 10 free throws, which were part of a 17-point third quarter. Lilly, reed and Hill continued their strong play in the frame as well.

Reed led the way in the quarter with seven points, while Lilly and Hill each added five points. The defense was able to limit the Panthers to nine points for the second consecutive quarter, which gave Montevallo a 56-26 lead heading to the final quarter.

In that final eight minutes of action, the Bulldogs held Southside to nine points for the third quarter in a row and posted 18 more points to pick up the easy 73-35 win.

Reed had her strongest quarter in the fourth with eight points to give her 23 points for the game.

Lilly had a game-high 25 points to lead the Bulldogs thanks to eight made field goals and a 5-7 mark from the free throw line. Hill added a third double-figure scorer for Montevallo with 15 points of her own.

Photos available at Shelbycountyphotos.com