By Spencer Spilman

An electric atmosphere was on display at Bales Gym Tuesday as the Hays Lady Rebels welcomed the first-place Bowie Lady Bulldogs. 

But in a close, back-and-forth affair, Hays hung on and pulled away late to notch a key 56-44 victory in its home finale. 

The Lady Rebels completed the season sweep over Bowie and handed the Lady Bulldogs their only second district loss since January 2014. Both losses have come at the hands of Hays this season.  

All of the Lady Rebels’ points came from their starting five, with four Lady Rebels finishing in double figures. The majority of Bowie’s scoring came from Kianna Ray and Elise Foradory. Ray scored 15 points and Foradory led all scorers with 17 points. 

Hays’ Jada Finister scored 12 points and pulled down 17 rebounds, with five grabbed on the offensive glass. Finister dominated in the paint, which helped her attain a double-double before halftime.  

“I always get up for the Bowie game, so I just tried to grab every rebound and get the easy put-backs,” said Finister.  

Hays High’s Choon Hee Chae scored 16 points as Amanda Benjamin had 11 points. Lady Rebel sophomore Gabriela Bosquez finished with 10 points. Hays High junior Jaden Williams rounded out the scoring with seven points and added six rebounds. 

The Lady Bulldogs, which trailed by nine points at halftime, stormed back to tie the game at 37-37 going into the fourth quarter. 

But when Hays regained the lead in the fourth frame, they didn’t give it back. Hays handled Bowie’s pressure defense and knocked down free throws en route to the win. 

After sweeping the first place team in the district, Finister said the team must keep working as the postseason looms. 

“We have absolutely everything to work on,” she said. “This is just the beginning and we have to keep getting better.”

The Lady Rebels prepare for the playoffs as they close the regular season at Akins on Friday.