LEXINGTON — Rivalry games can bring the best out of a team.

Friday night, the Thomasville Bulldogs played the best they have all season, blowing out Lexington 66-28 in front of a packed house.

Christina Carter and Jojo Davis were driving forces behind the domination, stealing the ball away with ease and finishing at the other end. Carter ended up with 16 points with Davis not far behind with 14.

“They have not won in a while, and they wanted to win badly tonight,” said Thomasville head coach Lacardo Means. “We were making shots, had plenty of energy and just played well.”

Playing well is an understatement.

Up 19-10 early in the second quarter, the Lady Bulldogs were playing well, but they far exceeded just playing well the rest of the half.

Thomasville went off on their archrivals for 19 points in the final five minutes, taking a 38-19 lead into halftime. Six different Thomasville players scored during the stretch, and the Lady Bulldogs were doing something that has not happened for them much this season — making outside shots. They were hitting 3-pointers, making long jumpers and playing with a load of confidence.

Lexington did not help themselves with careless ballhandling, but the THS pressure had a lot to do with it. When the Yellow Jackets did get into a halfcourt set, they rushed shots from the outside, instead of utilizing their huge height advantage inside with Jazmine Carter and Domonique Murphy. Carter did end up with 11 points to lead Lexington, but much of those came on offensive rebounds she put back up and in.

Thomasville continued to dominate after intermission, lulling the large crowd to sleep who were anticipating the boys’s game to follow.

The Lady Bulldogs scored 21 points in the third quarter, while their counterparts accounted for only one basket. Lexington’s lone hoop came with 4:48 on the clock, and they would not score again until late in the fourth quarter.

THS led 66-21 with 3:49 left and deservedly brought home a much needed win for team morale.

“Things just went our way tonight,” said Means. “I wish we could have saved some for another game, but I am happy for them.”

Sports Editor Zach Kepley can be reached at 888-3631, or at kepley@tvilletimes.com.