By Chris Yow

COLUMBIA — Columbia Central’s girls needed a big fourth quarter to earn a tough 50-45 win over Franklin County’s Rebelettes on Friday night in District 8-AAA play.

Columbia Central (16-6, 4-4) outscored their opponents 22-16 in the final frame after only scoring four points in the third period. The Lady Lions were 8-of-13 from the charity stripe in the period, including 5-of-6 with under two minutes to play.

Closing the first quarter on a 7-0 run, Columbia Central held a commanding 15-4 lead following the first quarter. Franklin County had 10 team fouls in the quarter, allowing the hosts to make a trip to the free throw line with every foul thereafter.

The Lady Lions pushed their lead to as many as 13 points in the second period before Franklin County put together a 6-0 run of their own, including a 3-point play from Lucy Barnes to pull within four points. Columbia Central’s halftime lead was just five points, 24-19.

Coming out in the third quarter, Columbia Central got a bucket from Jenice Bailey, but Madison Partin knocked down a 3-pointer for the Rebelettes on the next possession. Another lay up from Savaiya Morgan pushed the lead back to six points before Franklin County took control.

The Rebelettes then got another Partin trey and pair of free throws from both Danica Stovall and Macy Pittenger to take a 29-28 lead with 4.2 seconds to go in the third.

Columbia Central coach Joshua Bugg said Franklin County didn’t do anything different than when the Lady Lions handled their opponent 56-24 in their first meeting on Jan. 5.

“We just didn’t play our best game tonight,” he said.

Ryleigh Hamm, who finished with a team-high 13 points, had a pair of 3-balls in the fourth to put her team ahead and to push the lead to four with 2:01 to play.

Coming off a three-game losing streak, the Lady Lions were able to survive the 3-14, 0-9 Rebelettes.

“We just got a district win. We’re going to take that and move on,” Bugg said.

Columbia Central girls 50, Franklin Co. 45

F 4 15 10 16 — 45
C 15 9 4 22 — 50

Franklin Co. (45) – Madison Partin 6, Katie Walker 4, Danica Stovall 12, Macy Pittenger 9, Lucy Barnes 14
Columbia Central ( 50) – Saviya Morgan 9, Ryleigh Hamm 13, Janiyha Riley 12, Jenice Bailey 7, Josie Parks 9
3-pointers – Franklin Co. 3 (Partin 2, Pittenger), Columbia Central 5 (Morgan, Hamm 3, Parks)