MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — The GMC Prep Lady Dogs basketball team defeated region opponent Warren County at home Tuesday night to advance to 5-3 on the season and 4-0 in their region.

After beating Lincoln County 63-42 on Dec. 17, the Dogs took a two-week break before topping the Screaming Devils 49-35 to bring in the new year. Despite the victory, the girls struggled to knock off the rust for much of the game.

“We played a great first quarter and a great last three minutes,” said coach Shawn Dennis. “In between that, I think our execution was a little questionable.”

The Lady Dogs jumped on the Devils quickly to start the game, as Kennedy-Paige Davis put up 13 points in a 20-4 first quarter. Davis rested for much of the second quarter and the Devils started mustering a comeback. Warren County controlled the ball for the majority of the quarter and narrowed the margin, trailing 28-16 at the half.

The Lady Dogs’ struggles persisted through the third quarter and much of the fourth as they continued to turn the ball over. With 2:37 left in the game, though, and their lead cut to 41-35, Cire Foston stepped up for GMC and make good on a 3-point play after hitting a layup in traffic. As the Lady Dog defense kicked in, Foston scored again with just under two minutes left, and hit a free throw with one minute on the clock to make the score 47-35. Davis put the nail in the coffin when she took the ball down court for two points with 23 seconds remaining following a steal.

Dennis said he encouraged his team in the fourth quarter to “get back on track,” and “execute and do what we know how to do.”

Davis put up big numbers for GMC, leading the way with 29 points on the game. Foston had 10 points, Anna Layne Lawson had seven, Kate McGhee had six and Mary Elizabeth Jones put up two points for the Lady Dogs.

GMC faces region opponents Taliaferro County (0-7, 0-6) at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Lake Oconee Academy (1-7, 1-4) at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Both games are at home. After starting out the season 0-3, the Lady Dogs are looking to make it seven consecutive wins with victories this weekend. Dennis has confidence that his girls have what it takes to keep winning.

“Execute better offensively. Defensively, we’ve got to box out and rebound a little better,” Dennis said of his team’s plans for the two games. “Other than that, just stick within our usual game plan.”