Newton Citizen

LOGANVILLE - The Rockdale girls basketball squad extended its season for at least one more day after ousting Monroe Area for the second time this year 49-40 Tuesday evening during the play-in game of the Region 8-AAAA Tournament at Loganville High School.

Rockdale (6-20 overall) will next face Madison County at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Winder-Barrow High School.

"It feels good because sometimes you take a beating all season long ... it's good to have something go right for them since they practice so hard and go hard all the time," Rockdale coach Leonard Buckner said after the win. "It's good to have another chance to get into the state playoffs on Friday against Madison."

After a sluggish first quarter for both teams - one that combined for 22 turnovers and 13 points - Rockdale took the eventual early lead. A field goal by Aselah Mazone with 33.8 seconds on the clock gave the Lady Bulldogs a 7-6 advantage.

During the opening quarter, Monroe Area (5-21) scored all six points by capitalizing off Rockdale turnovers.

Overall, both teams combined for 52 turnovers in the game.

The struggles continued in the second period despite each team tallying eight points apiece.

By halftime each team had more turnovers than points. Despite a 15-14 edge by the Lady Bulldogs, they committed 17 turnovers while the Lady Purple Hurricanes had 20.

However, Rockdale's offense came to life in the third quarter. In fact, the Lady Bulldogs posted 17 points compared to 10. They also committed just six turnovers in the second half alone.

"We told them to put a little bit more pressure up the court, and we created some turnovers," Buckner said, "So, that led to some run-out layups."

A pair of free throws by Miasia Burks - two of her team-high 11 points - gave Rockdale a 32-24 cushion to end the third period.

Despite allowing 16 points in the fourth, the Lady Bulldogs added another 17 to preserve the win.

Rockdale's Porshia McCray netted three field goals in the final period, while Keeisha Foreman added two baskets to send Monroe Area packing for the season.

Mazone finished with 10 points and seven rebounds for the Lady Bulldogs.

Jasmine Scott led Monroe Area with 16 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter. Scott also finished with eight boards and four blocked shots.

Jason Murdock can be reached at jason.murdock@rockdalecitizen.com.