Welch College 53
Toccoa Falls College 47
November 8, 2013. The season opener for Welch College, before a packed house, proved to be a highly entertaining game and the Lady Flames came away with a hard-fought win, 53-47.
The Flames took the lead early, but the Eagles never let it get away from them as they countered every WC run with a run of their own.
Leslie Nichols started the game off with tough shot in the paint. Then, freshman sensation, Ashton Johnson took over, scoring 11 of the Flames next 13 points. Her quickness allowed her to get to the basket on several trips down the floor, along with a three-pointer during the run to give Welch a 15-8 lead. But, the Eagles bounced back and narrowed the Flames lead to just three at the intermission.
The second half mirrored the first as neither team could run away from the other. And, with three minutes left in the contest, Toccoa Falls took the lead 45-45. But the Flames would not be denied, going on an 8-1 run to finish the game.
Welch had four girls in double figures with Johnson leading the way with 21 points, followed by Nichols with 12, and Jessie Melvin and Amy Pickett with 10 points each. Nichols had a double-double leading the Flames with 11 rebounds. Johnson also had five assists for the Flames.
“We got a little tight in the first half and missed some shots we should have made,” said Flames’ coach Larry Bryan. “But, we held our composure, especially down the stretch. It was a good win for us.