ELIZABETHTOWN — East Bladen coach Patty Evers’ patented pesky defense was on full display Monday when St. Pauls visited for a non-conference game and were forced into 33 turnovers and held to just 15 points in a 56-15 blowout.

The win improves the Eagles to 2-1 this season.

East Bladen exploded out of the gate for 16 first-quarter points, led by a three-pointer from Shardajah Brown. The Lady Bulldogs managed to rally from a 16-1 deficit to close the gap to 16-7 going into the second stanza.

The quarter opened without much action, but the Lady Eagles finished the first half with a 6-2 spurt to take a 22-9 lead into halftime.

If there were any thoughts of a St. Pauls comeback, they were put to rest in the third quarter. East Bladen came out of intermission and dominated throughout the third quarter, highlighted by several steals for easy layups that saw the Lady Eagles win the quarter 18-1 and take a 40-10 advantage into the fourth frame.

The final 8 minutes was no better for the Lady Bulldogs, as East Bladen sealed the game with a 16-5 run.

Patience Ward led the Lady Eagles with 13 points, seven steals and six rebounds. Ja’Tyra Moore-Peterson contributed 11 points and four steals in just three quarters of play, and Lorena Mendell had 10 points. Emily Scott recorded eight points and seven rebounds, while Brown added seven points and six boards. Ashley Hardin had seven rebounds.

East Bladen had 17 steals in the game.

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Eagles fall to St. Pauls

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East Bladen, which remains depleted with its football team still in the state’s Class 2-A playoffs, found little offense and even less defense Monday, taking an 84-47 loss to St. Pauls.

The Eagles are now 0-2.

The Bulldogs opened the game with a 25-11 first-quarter run that set the tone, followed by a 26-12 second-quarter burst for a 51-23 halftime advantage.

St. Pauls took the third quarter, 24-15, before cruising through a 9-9 fourth frame to seal the win.

Demetrius Wooten led the Eagles with 19 points and Denzel Johnson added 15 with a three-pointer.