Bulldog Christmas Invitational Girls recap

By From staff reports
Published in Sports on December 20, 2011 1:49 PM

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PRINCETON -- Rosewood continued to chip away at a 20-point deficit, but came up short in a 44-36 loss to Rocky Mount Prep in the first game of the Bulldog Christmas Invitational on Monday at Princeton High School.

The Jaguars advanced to face Princeton in tonight's tournament finals. The Eagles face Spring Creek in the girls' consolation game.

Rocky Mount Prep led 23-3 at the end of the first quarter.

Rosewood (1-8) fought back behind a stronger effort on the defensive end. An 8-3 run pulled the Eagles to within 42-32 in the fourth quarter. Holly Heath's layup cut the margin to 42-36 with 30 seconds to play.

Kiera Bryant knocked down a pair of free throws with 26 seconds left to seal the win for Rocky Mount Prep. Rosewood was haunted by shooting 8 for 17 at the free throw line and costly turnovers.

"We've got to make free throws and we've got to make layups," Eagles' head coach Ryan Wells said. "We're putting ourselves in position to score. Right now, we're just not scoring. We're never going to give up. We're always going to fight. We came back and gave ourselves a chance."

Logan Bill led the Rosewood with 11 points. Heath had nine points and Crystal Allen grabbed 12 rebounds.

Dawgs drop Gators

PRINCETON -- Princeton jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in a 60-14 win over Spring Creek in the nightcap of the Bulldog Christmas Invitational.

Princeton built an 18-0 lead after one quarter and watched as the advantage grew to 34-2 at the intermission.

"I was pleased with my girls because I thought it was one of those nights where each girl contributed," Princeton head coach Marty Gurganus said. "We played well on both ends of the floor."

Savanna Massengill led the Bulldogs (5-5 overall) with 19 points and six rebounds. Nicole Melvin added 14 points and six boards. Ten different Princeton players recorded a field goal in the win.

Alyssa Borja and Jana Price each finished with seven points for the Gators (0-8 overall). Borja led the team with 10 rebounds.