The Pike County Bulldogs stormed into Goshen and put a damper on senior night, defeating the Goshen Eagles 59-48 on Friday.

It was the third time this season the two teams met and the third time the Bulldogs came out on top.

“We knew it was going to be senior night and Goshen will always play you hard,” said Bulldogs head coach Doug Holland. “We wanted to come out and match their intensity. Hats off to coach (Ethan) Carroll. T they came out and played well tonight.”

The Bulldogs have used their speed and athleticism all season, including Friday. The Bulldogs were able to turn the ball over early and often during the first half, leading at the end of the first quarter 14-10.

The Eagles closed the gap to 16-14 in the second quarter before the Bulldogs broke into a 16-0 run. Jerrell Lawson and Deshon Cowling led the Bulldogs during the run by scoring 12 of the 16 points.

The Eagles went into the locker room at halftime trailing the Bulldogs 32-21.

“Our schedule all year long has set us up to bend but not break,” Holland said. “We stay together on the court and that is one thing that I am proud of them for.”

One of those times came midway through the third quarter, when Devin Bell converted a jump shot to bring the Eagles within 10. The Bulldogs went on to outscore the Eagles 6-2 to end the quarter.

Lawson, who has already had a big week by signing a football scholarship to play at Tennessee Chattanooga, led the Bulldogs offensively with 19 points on the night.

“He is always going to play hard,” Holland said. “He is strong. He is not as big as some of the guys, but he is strong and wide and he is able to get some of them off the blocks.”

Cowling finished with 13 points. Kamari Jackson finished with 12, and Damon Andrews finished with 10.

The Eagles were led Micah Hollis who finished with 11 points on the night, and Caleb Dawson with eight points.

The Bulldogs will host the area tournament, playing Dale County at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Goshen will travel to Elba to take on New Brockton at 6 p.m.