By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director
BILOXI — Our Lady Academy picked up a big win on the road over rival St. Patrick in Region 8-3A play Tuesday night.
The Crescents captured the battle for the second spot in the region standings, with an exciting 67-61 decision over the Lady Irish. The win moves OLA to 16-5 overall and 2-1 in the region race, while the loss leaves St. Patrick at 11-10 overall and 1-3 in league play.

Thanks to 16 first half points by Lady Irish junior standout Alex Patino, including a pair of 3-pointers, the home team snatched up a 35-27 advantage at halftime.
But OLA bounced back with a strong second half outing, especially in a momentum-changing third frame, as sophomore stalwart Taylor Henley dropped in eight points and her freshman teammate Maria Galbreath notched seven points including a trey as well, and the Crescents wrestled the led away from SPHS at 44-41 entering the final frame.
From there, OLA kicked it into gear and steadily extended its lead down the stretch as Henley tallied 11 points in the fourth period, including a key early 3-pointer, and both Krissy Pavolini and Leah LaPorte each drained a pair of treys apiece to help the Crescents secure the win.

Henley poured in a co-game-high 28 points to pace the winning attack for OLA, while Pavolini added 14 points and Galbreath nine for the Crescents.
Patino also tallied 28 points in the game, while Anna Gollott had 12 points for St. Patrick and Katherine Wall added 11 points. Addison Ladner had eight points as well for the Lady Irish.