The Grace Christian Academy Lady Cougars opened the post holiday portion of their basketball schedule with a 44-42 victory over the Open Bible Christian School Lady Warriors Monday in Valdosta improving their record to 12-3.

Emma Heard, Rachel Harrell and Jocelyn Jacobs all hit in double figures to lead the Lady Cougars scoring attack.

Heard led the way with 15 points. Harrell added 11 and Jacobs put in 10. Brock Bailey led the defensive effort with four steals. She also had three assists while scoring 6 points.

The Lady Cougars took command early, scoring 13 first-quarter points and holding the Lady Warriors to just 2.

The Lady Warriors bounced back to outscore them 12-8 in the second quarter to cut the halftime lead to seven, at 21-14.

The Lady Warriors outscored the Lady Cougars 17-12 in the third quarter and trailed by just two, 33-31, entering the fourth quarter. Both teams scored 11 points in the fourth quarter.

Coach Mike Harrell liked his Lady Cougars Monday effort against the Lady Warriors.

He pointed out that, while Heard, Harrell and Jacobs did most of the scoring, Bailey is the one who kept it all together with her steals and assists.