ELIZABETHTOWN — The Lady Eagles outscored Union by a 24-1 margin in the second half Tuesday and clinched its third straight conference title with a 68-16 thrashing of the visiting Lady Spartans.

East Bladen, the No. 1 Class 2-A team in the state, improved to 23-0 overall and 13-0 in the Four County Conference.

Lacey Suggs got the Lady Eagles off to a fast start, canning 12 points in the first quarter as East Bladen lit up the scoreboard for 25 points. The defense was just as spectacular, holding Union to just three points in the period.

The offensive fireworks continued for the Lady Eagles in the second stanza, but it was eight points from Ja’Tyre Moore-Peterson that allowed East Bladen to outscore the visitors by a 19-12 margin and take a 44-15 advantage into halftime.

The second half was a defensive clinic put on by the Lady Eagles. But East Bladen was just as efficient at the other end of the court. Moore-Peterson drained a three-pointer and scored seven points in the third quarter to lead the Lady Eagles to a 21-0 whitewashing of the Lady Spartans and a 65-15 lead.

Things bogged down for East Bladen in the fourth quarter as substitutions came in and out. But the Lady Eagles still outscored Union by a 3-1 margin and sealed the largest margin of victory this season at 52-points.

“The girls really played good defense and everyone contributed,” said East Bladen coach Patty Evers. “We are very proud of the accomplishment (of winning three straight conference titles), and I can’t say enough about the seniors, who are 98-10 in their four years.”

Nine Lady Eagles scored on Tuesday, led by Suggs and Moore-Peterson, who each scored 21 points in the win. Suggs completed another double-double with 12 rebounds and added four steals. Moore-Peterson contributed five rebounds and five steals.

Abby Ward tallied seven points along with five assists and five steals for East Bladen, while Christiana Cromartie had seven points, five rebounds and three blocked shots.

Emily Scott and Ashley Hardin each pulled down six rebounds.

W. Curt Vincent can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.

W. Curt Vincent

cvincent@civitasmedia.com