Sports
McCollum Leads Athens over Meigs
By: Jordan Gallagher
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After starting the season 1-12 the Athens Lady Bulldogs have hit their stride winning their fourth straight game 39-32, against their latest victim, the Meigs Lady Marauders.
For the Lady Bulldogs this game was run by point guard Alexis McCollum who had 13 points, five rebounds and five assists. The senior guard consistently beat the highly touted Marauders defense to the basket and used her dribble penetration moves to kick the ball out to open teammates. She was also a leader on defense swiping six steals and constantly forcing opponents to make bad decisions.
“It’s senior year it’s my show,” McCollum said after the game. “I want run the team, I’m the senior, I’m the leader I want take control.”
Outside of McCollum the rest of the Lady Bulldogs played fairy well on the offensive end of the floor but where they really shined was on defense. After losing 10 of their first 13 games by 20 points or more, the Athens defense has improved holding its last four opponents to less than 35 points. Tonight was much the same as the Lady Bulldogs held the Lady Marauders to 7-29 from the three point line and forced 14 turnovers.
“This year gave me a chance and you know what, I am sick and tired of losing I have never had this bad of a season before. So, I was like screw it I’m done. I want to win,” McCollum said of her team’s recent winning ways.
The Lady Marauders kryptonite tonight was an aspect of the game that is usually seen as simple, free throws. Meigs went 3-15 from the free throw line tonight for one of its worst percentages of the season. Combined with their inability to hit shots and stop McCollum it led to a big loss for a team that has now dropped four in a row.
The Athens Lady Bulldogs will try to keep burning up gyms as they look to find their fifth straight victory in West Virginia against Cabell Midland, while the Lady Marauders face a struggling 1-17 Wellston team.