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After starting the game off slow in the first half, the Valley girls basketball team turned it on in the second half, leading to a 36-29 come from behind victory at Beulah.

The Rams struggled to find consistency in the first quarter, scoring just three points. They were struggling to hold onto the ball and finishing shots when they got an opportunity. The Bobcats took a five-point lead after the first eight minutes as they were able to get some easy scores on fast-break opportunities.

The game started to change in the second quarter. The Rams limited their turnovers and were able to get inside for shot opportunities. When they weren’t converting their shots, they were normally heading to the free-throw line. Even though they only hit two of the eight opportunities, the fouls were starting to wear the smaller Bobcats down. The Rams were able to trim the deficit to just two by the end of the quarter

“I just told them we have to change the tempo,” Valley head coach George Grimes said. “We have to create havoc. In the first half, we played at their tempo. We had to get the tempo turned around in the second half.”

The Rams were able to effectively change the game’s tempo in the second half. With their press, they were able to force turnovers, which turned into quick scores or fouls. In the third, the Rams four of their eight attempts from the foul line.

“Once we started creating turnovers with our defense, it helps our offense,” Grimes said.

Valley outscored Beulah 33-14 in the second half.

“I thought we had it until we started getting beaten around a little bit, then we got frustrated. Sometimes you need to learn how to play through that,” Beulah head coach Sabrina Milligan said. “Valley isn’t a scrub team. They have some size on their roster too.”

With 4:30 left in the game, starting guards Brandy Phillips and Savanna Clements had to leave the game with injuries. Beulah head coach Sabrina Milligan believes both will be better next week.

“I thought we had it until we started getting beaten around a little bit, then we got frustrated. Sometimes you need to learn how to play through that,” Milligan said. “Valley isn’t a scrub team. They have some size on their roster too.”

Phillips led the Bobcats in scoring with 10 points, while Anijah Patrick and Arteria Florence each finished with 10 points.

The Bobcats hit the road for their game against Notasulga on Tuesday, while the Rams host area opponent Brewbaker Tech. The winner of the Valley game decides the area.