Elkin defeated by Surry Central

Surry Central stormed back from a 10-point deficit to defeat Elkin 43-37 on Feb. 2.

The Golden Eagles outscored the visiting Buckin’ Elks 25-14 in the second half, including a 10-0 run to close the game.

The fourth quarter opened with Reese Leonard hitting Central’s first, and only, 3-pointer of Friday’s game with 4:32 to play. The freshman’s triple put the Eagles up 32-31 — their first lead since 3-2.

Surry Central shot just 1-of-14 from 3-point range against Elkin. The Eagles’ shooting struggles on both 3-pointers and free throws, combined with the Elks’ hitting 6-of-13 (46%) 3-pointers, was a large part of why the home team trailed for most of the night.

Central’s lead was short-lived as Elkin’s Ayla Ford hit her fourth 3-pointer of the night. Elkin then got a stop on defense to set Alyssa Jenkins up for a 3-pointer, putting the visitors back on top at 37-32.

Mallie Southern was fouled with 3:09 to play and made 1-of-2 free throws. Elkin didn’t hold possession for 15 seconds before Central’s Jenna Cave — who scored or assisted on eight of the team’s 10 points during the final stretch — made a steal and turned it into two points on the other end. Elkin made another turnover the next trip down, then Cave assisted Leonard to tie things up at 37-37.

An offensive board from Leonard set Cave up with another bucket with 1:22 to play. Cave forced another steal, then assisted Layla Wall on an and-1 basket with 58 seconds to play. Wall knocked down the clutch free throw to make it a two-score game.

Central’s defense held Elkin without a shot until the clock crept below 30 seconds. A missed 3-pointer was grabbed by Sierra Carpenter, who was immediately fouled with 24 seconds remaining. Carpenter hit 1-of-2 foul shots to make it 43-37, then Central’s defense didn’t allow Elkin to get a final shot off.

The late free throw was Carpenter’s only point of the fourth quarter, but it capped off an eight-point half in which she led both teams in scoring.

Central trailed 23-18 at halftime before Carpenter scored on back-to-back possessions, cutting the lead to a point after trailing 22-12 in the second quarter. The freshman scored Central’s first seven points of the third quarter to keep her team in the fight, while Elkin scored just eight points as a team in the quarter.

Elkin built its original lead by scoring 14 points on six field goals in the first quarter. Surry Central, meanwhile, only scored one field goal in the first period. The Eagles attempted more than a dozen free throws in the opening quarter but knocked down less than half.

Surry Central shot just 12-of-27 (44%) from the foul line, but converted down the stretch to maintain its lead.

Nine Golden Eagles scored in Friday’s game. Wall led the way with nine points, followed by Carpenter with eight, and Cave and Leonard with seven each.

Wall led Surry Central with 10 rebounds, including five offensive boards. Cave led the way with three assists and three steals, and four Eagles recorded one block: Carpenter, Leonard, Cave and Presley Smith.

Surry Central and Elkin will resume conference play on Feb. 6: Surry Central travels to Forbush (15-5), and Elkin travels to Starmount (4-15),

Scoring

Elkin — 14, 9, 8, 6 — 37

Surry Central — 9, 9, 11, 14 — 43

NW: Ayla Ford 14, Alyssa Jenkins 9, Alla Summers 8, Trinity Dowell 3, Presley Baker 3

SC: Layla Wall 9, Sierra Carpenter 8, Jenna Cave 7, Reese Leonard 7, Presley Smith 4, Brianna Wilmoth 3, Gaby Montero 2, Stella Wall 2, Mallie Southern 1