Mustangs open Times tournament with win over Grissom

Lydia McGee lays the ball up during the Mustangs' victory over Grissom in the opening round of the Times Ladies Classic at Bob Jones High School.

The Madison Academy Lady Mustangs opened a 30-9 halftime lead over the Grissom Tigers in the first round of the Times Classic on Tuesday and cruised to victory, 39-26.

The Mustangs pounced on the Tigers in the opening quarter, 12-2, before increasing the lead to 21 at the half.

Grissom’s defense slowed the Mustangs in the third quarter, with the two teams scoring only four points apiece.

The Tigers’ offense then made a furious comeback in the final quarter, but the Mustangs held on to advance in the winner’s bracket.

“They came out ready to play in the second half and we didn’t,” said Madison Academy head coach Brian Privett. “And we’ve learned that we’re going to have to play a complete game to win a championship.”

Madison Academy will have another chance to take down a higher classification team Wednesday as the Lady Mustangs take on the winner of the Carver-Buckhorn game at 3 p.m.

“That’s why we’re playing in tournaments like this, to get experience against the highest quality teams,” Privett said.