By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

A difficult fourth quarter proved to be the Troup Lady Tigers’ undoing in a 45-30 home loss to Sandy Creek on Saturday afternoon.

Troup had a two-point lead at the close of the third period, but Sandy Creek dominated the final eight minutes to secure the Region 5-AAAA win.

Troup’s only points in the fourth quarter came on a pair of Jedda Madden free throws with less than a minute remaining.

Before that, the Lady Tigers had missed eight consecutive free throws in the fourth quarter, and most of them came when the outcome was still in question.

“At the time, if you make those free throws, it makes a difference in the game,” Troup head coach Carla Thornton said.

Madden led Troup with 11 points, Kiya Fulton added eight points, and Amber Gilbert scored seven points.

With Fulton and Gilbert combining for 11 points, Troup was ahead 11-7 after the first quarter, and it led 22-16 at the half.

The Lady Tigers were limited to six points in the third quarter, but they were still ahead 28-26 heading to the final period.

Nina Lumm hit a 3-pointer midway through the fourth quarter to give Sandy Creek a 31-28 lead.

Sandy Creek pulled away from there for the road win.

Sandy Creek has three players who are six feet are taller, and that proved problematic for Troup.

“They’ve got a lot size,” Thornton said. “That hurt us today with rebounding.”

Troup, which fell to 3-3 in the region, will host Cartersville on Monday at 5 p.m.