By SETH HAGAN | For the Reporter

MONTEVALLO – The Montevallo Lady Bulldogs fought valiantly and never gave up mounting a fourth-quarter comeback that came up just short at home against Leeds Thursday, Jan 17.

Montevallo led for brief moments in the game, including late in the game, but the Greenwave snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to escape with a 42-40 win.

Both teams struggled from the field in the first quarter combining for just six baskets between them. Leeds pressed Montevallo 95-11, 2-3) much of the time yielding some fast break opportunities, but the Bulldogs’ problems came on their end of the floor.

Their passes often fell just out of reach of teammates and the turnovers piled up. To make matters worse, when Montevallo broke the press and found good shots in the paint they couldn’t get them to fall.

Tekay Hill got going in the second quarter and the Bulldogs took a 17-15 lead thanks to a 9-0 run. However, Hill received her third foul with 2:51 to go in the half and Leeds quickly took advantage of the open lane and reeled off 12 straight points of its own to take a 27-17 lead at halftime.

The third quarter did little to change things as the pace of the game slowed to a creep. Montevallo kept the deficit within shooting distance by getting to the free throw line making four of their six attempts to offset just one basket in the period.

At the end of three, the Bulldogs found themselves down 34-23, but refused to go quietly. During the second and third quarters Montevallo had found Leeds’ weakness—rebounding.

Their 12 rebounds led to second chances to keep the score close and the Bulldogs continued to exploit that weak spot in the fourth. Another five offensive boards all led to second chance scores for Montevallo as shots around the hoop finally began to fall.

They went on to recapture the lead on the strength of a massive 16-2 run. However, up 40-38, the Bulldogs were unable to find the basket after that.

The turnover bug came back to bite them late as well as the final two possessions ended in the hands of the Greenwave—one leading to their final go-ahead basket with seconds remaining.

Hill was solid all night and showed her ability to put the ball on the floor despite being the tallest player on the court. She recorded a double-double despite limited playing time in the first half finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds.