Linden girls fall short in comeback bid

LINDEN — The Lady Patriots erased a pair of double-digit deficits before running out of gas in their comeback attempt during a 64-55 loss to Sunshine Thursday night.

The visiting Lady Tigers opened the game on a 22-9 run before Linden battled back with a strong second quarter, holding Sunshine to just one field goal and five points in the game’s second frame.

Linden trailed 27-26 at halftime but saw Sunshine open its lead back to seven by the end of the third period. With 7:48 to play in the contest, the Lady Tigers drained a three-pointer to push the advantage back to double digits at 42-32.

Only two minutes later, Sunshine had extended its lead to 15. Undaunted, Linden proceeded to battle back as Alexis Johnson connected on a runner with 5:20 to play to cut the lead back to 10.

Cierra Jones later nailed a pair of free throws at the 2:35 mark to get the Lady Patriots to within single digits at 53-45.

With 2:07 left, Johnson connected on another drive to move it to 54-48. The biggest step toward the Patriot comeback came with 1:49 to play when Imyia Agee drained a triple to put Linden to within three at 54-51.

But the Sunshine defense proved too much in the end as the Lady Tigers’ press led to a steal and transition layup for Rolanda Pope and another by Eulacia Edwards in the final minute to put the game firmly out of reach.

Edwards led all scorers with 38 points on the night. Pope finished with 10 for Sunshine while Clea Young had eight.

Johnson paced Linden with 16 points while Jones had 14 and Briana Delaine had 12.

Linden is scheduled to travel to A.L. Johnson Friday night.