CHAPEL HILL — It was a scrappy contest in Chapel Hill Tuesday night between the Forrest Lady Rockets and the Fayetteville City Lady Tigers, Forrest losing the battle 43-40.
The Lady Rockets struggled in the first half with the Lady Tigers strong man-to-man defense, creating several turnovers, and fouls were in abundance, with both squads reaching double-bonus.
The Lady Rockets and Lady Tigers were unable to finish shots during the first quarter, putting only a combined 12 points on the board, most of those coming in under the two-minute mark.
Senior Lady Rocket Macyn Kirby landed 16 points alone in the second quarter, while also leading on the night with 30 points, giving Forrest an eight-point lead at the half, 23-15.
The Lady Tigers weren’t backing down in the second half, returning to the floor with execution in mind, having their best quarter of the game.
Fayetteville City’s Autumn Nunemaker found strength in the paint, getting seven of her 19 points, while Sophomore Kinslee Inlow drained a timely three to keep the Lady Rockets going in the third.
The Lady Rockets held the lead going into the fourth quarter, 31-30.
In the last eight minutes, despite turnovers and missed rebounding opportunities, the Lady Rockets stayed in a scoring battle with the Lady Tigers, Kirby keeping strong with two breakaway layups to keep Forrest within two of Fayetteville City.
Forrest was forced to foul with 21 seconds left in the game, putting Bella Martin at the line with a one-and-one chance. Martin hit the first shot giving the Lady Tigers a three-point lead.
At the other end of the court, the Lady Rockets couldn’t find an open shot, calling a timeout with 5.7 seconds left on the clock.
In a last second effort, Forrest couldn’t pull off the three-point shot, falling to Fayetteville City 43-40.
The Lady Rockets will play at home this Friday against Liberty City.
Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Fayetteville City 5 10 15 13 — 43
Forrest 7 16 8 9 — 40

Fayetteville City: Amirricle Clark 2, Te’Asia Ewing 2, Bella Martin 6, Elly Bain 4, Kyliah Simpson 2, Trinity Dixon 6, Autumn Nunemaker 19, Gracie Hoagland 2
Forrest: Macyn Kirby 30, Kinslee Inlow 3, Megan Mealer 1, Josie Brown 3, Carli Warner 1, Meagan Scaggs 2
3 point goals: Forrest: Kirby 2, Inlow, Brown.
Halftime score: Forrest 23, Fayetteville City 15.