By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

The LaGrange Lady Grangers broke open a close game in the fourth quarter on the way to a 40-32 victory over the rival Troup Lady Tigers on Tuesday.

A 9-0 run gave the Lady Grangers a nine-point lead with less than three minutes left in the game, and they were ahead by at least six points the rest of the way.

Chnaireia Strozier led the way for LaGrange with 21 points, and she was 8-of-10 from the free-throw line.

Aryan Dozier added 11 points for LaGrange, with six of those points coming during the decisive fourth quarter.

Kiya Fulton led Troup with 10 points, Jedda Madden scored seven points, and Aundracia Riggins had six points.

For the first three quarters, it was anybody’s game.

LaGrange led 11-10 after the opening quarter, and it was ahead 20-19 at the half.

The Lady Tigers trailed by four points late in the fourth quarter, but they pulled even on a pair of Ambert Gilbert free throws.

Strozier hit a 3-pointer with 1:35 left in the third quarter to give LaGrange a 28-25 lead, and that was the score heading to the final period.

Dozier scored moments into the fourth quarter to give the Lady Grangers a five-point lead, and they extended that lead to nine with 2:38 to play.

The Lady Tigers hung tough and got within six on a 3-pointer by Fulton with 45 seconds left, but they came no closer.

LaGrange, which improved to 3-0 in Region 5-AAAA, will be at home against defending region-champion Sandy Creek on Friday.

Troup, which fell to 2-2 in the region, will host Cedartown on Friday.

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