RICHLAND — After playing the Richland Raiders within four points at halftime of the Region 5-A quarterfinals on Saturday, the Cornersville Bulldogs struggled to match second-half scoring and suffered a season-ending, 52-36 defeat.
Richland built a 16-10 lead by the end of the first quarter, but Richland managed to hang around.
The biggest difference in the opening quarter came with a pair of made 3-pointers by the Raiders to build the six-point lead, while Cornersville was held scoreless from the arc.
After falling behind by six, the Bulldogs rallied around Eli Welch in the second period and out-scored the Raiders, 12-10, to cut the lead to four by halftime.
Welch wouldn’t be denied as he went for eight of the Bulldogs’ 12 points in the quarter.
While momentum had shifted in favor of the underdogs in the second quarter, the pendulum swung the other direction in the third quarter as Cornersville was held to just four points, including one field goal by Welch.
The other two points came via free throws by Blaine Woodard, while Richland charged ahed with another 14 points, powered by three more 3-pointers.
While the Bulldogs rallied for 10 in the fourth quarter, Cornersville just couldn’t overcome the deficit from the third quarter.
Richland put three players in double figures, with Jace Derryberry’s 16 points leading all scorers.
Carter Edwards and Trey Luna chipped in 12 and 10, respectively.
Welch was the only Bulldog to reach double figures as he posted a team-high 12 points, while Blaine Woodard added nine.
Cornersville closes the 2021-2022 season with an 11-14 overall record.

Cornersville 10 12 4 10 — 36
Richland 16 10 14 12 — 52

Cornersville: Eli Welch 12, Blaine Woodard 9, Mason Calahan 8, Gage Lovell 5, Bryce Woodard 2.
Richland: Jace Derryberry 16, Carter Edwards 12, Trey Luna 10, Tyrell Randolph 8, Andrew Huff 4, Gage Kirk 2.
3-Point goals: Richland (8): Derryberry 4, Edwards 2, Luna, Huff; Cornersville (1): Calahan.
Halftime score: Richland 26, Cornersville 22.