The Goshen Lady Eagles ran away with a 49-26 win over Brantley Monday in the opening round of the Goshen basketball Christmas tournament.

Bre Griffin led the team with 22 points.

Even the though the Eagles started the game sluggishly, they were able to turn things around in the second half.

“It wasn’t a pretty win,” said Eagles head coach Fred Lowery. “I was happy we won the game but I wasn’t very pleased on how we played. We didn’t set the tone. Even though we were victorious and got the win, I didn’t like the manner in which we won.”

In the opening quarter and for much of the opening half, the teams were neck-and-neck. The Eagles entered the locker room at halftime leading by just a few points, 21-17.

“I told them at halftime that we were playing their game,” Lowery said. “They were making us play a half court game. I didn’t want that, I want to get out in front and run. I told them to set the tone in the second half.”

The Lady Eagles did just that, holding the Bulldogs to just nine points. “We did pretty good in the second half,” Lowery said. “We did some decent things.”

The Eagles improve their record to 3-4 on the season. Along with Griffin’s team-high 22 points, her sister Shimiya Griffin finished with 12. Shyanne Tillery finished the game with five points, Jada Hall had three points while freshman Harmony Robinson got on the board with two points.

This tournament gives the Eagles the opportunity invite teams into their gym to help gauge the talent they have on the roster heading into area play.

“It’s all about preparation,” Lowery said. “We are using this tournament and this time to prepare us for area play. That is the most important thing. We are taking games one at a time and we are preaching taking one quarter at a time. It’s going to prepare us for the area tournament and the post season.”

The Eagles will continue play Friday night when they go up against the winner of Ariton and Highland Home. Tip off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.