Avery led 10-8 after one period behind eight points from senior guard Mercedes Bentley, and led 23-20 at halftime. Despite the early lead, the Lady Vikings collected a number of first half fouls which served to hamper the Big Red in the second half.
The Lady Vikings exhibited a bit of rust from having not played in over a week since its win at Hendersonville, as the Lady Rams picked off a number of passes
After three periods the Lady Vikings still managed to hold a four-point margin at 42-38. Bentley tallied 19 for AHS through three periods to help keep the Big Red out front, but foul trouble became a factor. The frontcourt duo of Katelynn Eudy and Megan Tennant each fouled out in regulation as the Lady Rams rallied to knot the score at 53 at the end of regulation.
The team suffered another loss late in the game as Bentley, who drained the final of her 5 three-point baskets in the fourth quarter, sustained an apparent wrist injury. AHS struggled to seal the game in regulation as the squad struggled from the free throw line, hitting on only 10 of 20 free throws.
Lady Viking senior Mary Chesnut Smith paced Avery with four of Avery's six points in overtime. Meanwhile the Lady Rams shot 15 free throws in overtime alone, hitting on nine of them.
Eudy and Lauren Burleson added 11 points each in the loss, with Burleson also pulling down 10 rebounds and Eudy nine.
The Lady Vikings will play tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon at 4 p.m. in the consolation game of the tournament against either host Draughn or Burns High School.
