The Bogalusa Lumberjacks (13-6, 3-1) came onto the court on Tuesday looking to bounce back from their first district loss of the season. In a game that was close from start to finish they did just that, defeating the Albany Hornets (12-12, 1-3), 72-68.

Critical to the victory for the Jacks was their inside size advantage as well as their depth, as a total of five players coming off the bench scored a combined 35 points on the night.

Junior Ladamion Keys was big for the Lumberjacks in the first quarter, scoring eight of the team’s 10 points. Albany played well in the opening period, matching Bogalusa shot for shot, and at the end of the quarter the score was tied, 10-10.

In the second Bogalusa was able to open up a bit of a lead, outscoring the Hornets 22-15 for the quarter to go in at halftime leading 32-25.

After a quiet first half Bogalusa senior Brian Williams got his offense going in the third quarter, scoring eight of his 10 total points. The lead for the Jacks grew to 11, 48-37, heading into the fourth.

In the final period Albany started to heat up from the outside and cut into the Lumberjack lead. The Hornets knocked down a total of five 3-pointers in the fourth and found themselves within two points on a couple of occasions.

Senior Matt Melton made some key plays in the quarter to help Bogalusa hold onto the lead. Coming off the bench, Melton scored all 13 of his points in the fourth quarter, which included draining five of five free throw attempts. The offensive boost was enough to carry the Jacks to the 72-68 victory.

Keys led the Lumberjacks with 20 points on the night. Also scoring for Bogalusa were Chris Rivera with 11, Rodney Crumedy and Donel Magee with five apiece, Chris Lowery with four and Cordero Brown and Trey Thomas with two apiece.