EL RENO – Coach David Prickett and the Altus High Lady Bulldogs were hoping the third time would be the charm.

Altus lost both of its games to Duncan in the regular season and the two teams got together once again for the first round of the regional tournament.

However the result was not different. Duncan held on for a 42-41 victory and the Lady Bulldogs season.

Altus trailed by seven (39-32) early in the fourth quarter and it was the Lady Demons that gave the Lady Bulldogs opportunities to pull the game out.

Duncan hit only one of eight free throw chances down the stretch.

Ebony Nelms hit a shot with 1:30 left to cut Altus’ deficit to 41-39 . A free throw by Britton Scott made 42-39

Janelle Durrough followed with a shot with five seconds left to pull the Lady Bulldogs back to within one with five seconds left. After a time-out Duncan’s Deandra St. Cliair was fouled with three seconds left. St. Clair missed the free throw, Altus rebounded but could not get a shot off.

The loss was certainly not the fault of the Nelms sisters who combined for 33 of the 41 points. Mahogany had 19 points and Ebony 14 points.

Altus closed out its season with a 6-17 record.