The Pike County Lady Bulldogs got a pair of great performances from their primetime players in a 46-22 over Kinston in the Red Level Tournament on Thursday afternoon.

“There were a lot of positives,” said Bulldogs head coach Todd Reynolds. “My primetime players stepped up and it’s something to build on.”

The Bulldogs came out and took an early lead in the first quarter on the backs of Precious Vaznaian who scored the first 11 Bulldogs points in the opening quarter.

“That kind of set the tone,” Reynolds said. “She was playing the shooting guard and she was there to shoot. She was out there doing what she was supposed to be doing.”

The Eagles took a 16-9 lead into the second quarter.

In the third quarter, the Bulldogs were able to outscore Kinston 13-4 and were able to enter the fourth quarter holding a comfortable 15-point lead, which allowed them them to tinker and play with their roster.

The defense stole the show for the Bulldogs throughout the game. Against a team that has relied on their outside shooting, the Bulldogs did a good job at closing out on the shooters.

“We were able to play pretty solid half court defense,” Reynolds said. “We closed on their shooters to where they couldn’t have easy looks from the outside.”

The Bulldogs have worked hauling in rebounds all season long, and it showed on Thursday afternoon.

“We had some players crash the boards,” Reynolds said. “It was a better performance out of my primetime players.”

Vaznaian finished the game with 21 points, tying teammate Keeyah Rodgers, who recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

The Bulldogs will be back in action again this afternoon when they take on Andalusia in a rematch. Earlier this season, Andalusia picked up a double-digit win over the Trojans.

“We have a rematch with Andalusia tomorrow,” Reynolds said. “That is going to be a battle and a real physical game.”