The Lady Bengals basketball team (13-6, 3-2) lost to Ridge View (12-7, 4-1) Friday night, 50-41. Blythewood started the game on an 8-2 run and led 14-6 after the first 8 minutes. Ridge View senior Alexus Jackson hit a 3-pointer just before the buzzer at the end of the half to cut Blythewood’s lead to three at 23-20.
The Lady Bengals shot went cold to start the second half and Ridge View outscored Blythewood 15-4 in the third quarter and led 35-27 going into the final 8 minutes. Blythewood head coach Steve Inabinet’s team would never get back in the lead.
“We felt like there was a lid on the bucket tonight,” Inabinet stated. “We missed some easy shots and didn’t do a good job of finishing.”
Ridge View shot 43 percent from the floor and out-rebounded Blythewood 30-17. Of Ridge View’s 30 total rebounds, 14 came on the offensive glass. After the game, Inabinet said he felt like it was the Lady Blazer’s presence down low that made the difference in the game.
“Because of their (Ridge View) supreme size inside they were able to get a second or third shot at the basket,” Inabinet said.
Jackson finished the night with a double-double, 15 points and 12 rebounds. The Lady Bengals were led in scoring by Aaliyah Keels, with 13 points.
With the first round of region play over, only five games remain in the regular season. Inabinet said he feels good about his team’s position, but still feels like there is work to be done over the next two weeks.
“It’s not over yet,” Inabinet said. “The season still has a long way to go and we need to continue to work hard.”
The Lady Bengals are back on the court Friday, Jan. 25, when they play at Irmo (10-9, 3-4). Blythewood edged out Irmo 39-37 back on Jan 4. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. and you can listen to the live broadcast at www.facebook.com/bhathletics.