MERCERVILLE, Ohio — A strong defensive effort gives the Lady Rebels their fifth straight win.

South Gallia held visiting Gallia Academy without a field goal for more than 15 minutes Wednesday night en rout to a 38-35 victory in the championship game of the South Gallia Holiday Tournament.

The Blue Angels (4-9) took the early lead with an 11-to-5 run in the opening period. South Gallia (10-3) added seven points in the second, while GAHS hit a trio of free throws in the quarter. Gallia Academy clung to a 14-12 lead at the half.

The Lady Rebels came out of the half with an 8-0 run, grabbing their first lead of the game. The Blue Angels ended the run with a two-pointer at the 2:10 mark of the third period, their first field goal sine the 1:47 mark of the opening quarter. The teams swapped baskets to end the period with SGHS holding the 22-18 advantage.

South Gallia opened the final period with an 11-to-6 run, expanding it’s lead to nine points with under four minutes to play. Gallia Academy closed the game with an 11-to-5 spurt but it was not enough and SGHS took the 38-35 victory.

“We came in at the end of the first half down 14-12 and both teams were a little bit tight,” South Gallia coach Brett Bostic said post game. “I told them this is who you wanted to play, you wanted to host a tournament, try to get local teams in there and draw so notoriety to our girls basketball here’s your chance.”

South Gallia’s scoring attack was led by Meghan Caldwell with 19 points including the team’s lone three-pointer and Ellie Bostic with 11. Rachel Johnson and Jasmyne Johnson each added four points for the Lady Rebels. Jasmyne Johnson led the Lady Rebels on the glass with seven rebounds, followed by Lesley Small with four and Caldwell with three. Bostic, Caldwell and Jasmyne Johnson each finished with two steals, while Rachel Johnson marked a team-high 2 assists.

Micah Curfman led the Blue Angels with 19 points on the night followed by Chelsy Slone with eight. Kendra Barnes chipped in with five points, Abby Wiseman contributed two and Halley Barnes rounded out the GAHS scoring with one point. Gallia Academy’s rebounding attack was led by Slone with eight, Halley Barnes with seven and Curfman with six. Curfman finished with a team-high six assists, followed by Kendra Barnes and Slone with two each. Wiseman, Curfman and Kendra Barnes each finished with two steals. Slone had the games only three blocks.

“We have to play four quarters and we just aren’t putting it all together.” Gallia Academy coach Renee Barnes said. “They’re hustling, they’re trying to do what we’re asking them to do but its just not coming together.” We rebounded well but still had some silly turnovers and that’s the key to the ball game, taking care of the basketball in crucial times.”

GAHS held a 30-to-18 rebound advantage but South Gallia held a 14-to-17 turnover edge. The Lady Rebels shot 17-of-42 (40.5 percent) from the field including 1-of-8 (12.5 percent) from three-point range. Gallia Academy was 12-of-50 (24 percent) from the field including 6-of-26 (23.1 percent) from beyond the arc. SGHS was 3-of-10 (30 percent) from the free throw line, while GAHS was 5-of-9 (55.6 percent).

“We did some things well in the second half and we are proud of our girls,” Bostic said. “Now we have to turn around and get right back in the Hocking league and see where we are there.”

The season series comes to a draw between these teams as GAHS won 39-37 on November 27th in Mercerville. Gallia Academy falls to 3-5 in non league games this season, while South Gallia improves to 3-1.