Lady Dawgs’ streak ends

Published 8:22 pm Thursday, February 19, 2009

Montevallo’s 30-game streak stopped Thursday, two wins shy of the Final Four, as Sumter County rallied in the fourth quarter to down the Bulldogs, 60-47, at Alabama State University.

Senior Rachel Willingham opened the game with a long 3-point basket and took lead of Montevallo’s scoring with 17 points, while Desire Jones followed with 10.

The Bulldogs (30-2) took a 28-24 lead into halftime, but Sumter tied the game, 37-37, with 2:25 left to play in the third quarter on a jumper by Katia May. May paced Sumter with 33 points, including a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws to start the fourth quarter and distance the lead from Montevallo.

Jamesha Watkins, who hit a lay up in the final minute of the third to give Sumter its first lead, finished with 17 points.

Sumter County will face Greene County in the Class 3A Central Region final Saturday at 3:40 p.m.