by RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

After almost netting a comeback victory over Grand Isle in the teams’ first meeting this season, Reserve Christian was once again knocking at the door in the second half on Tuesday, searching for its first district win.

But once again, Grand Isle was able to survive. It defeated the Lady Eagles for the second time this season, 52-46.

Grand Isle won the first meeting between the teams on Jan. 24, 49-45.

Daysha Blount led the Eagles in scoring with 27 points.

The Eagles trailed for most of the game, and pulled within one in the third quarter, 35-34.

But Grand Isle would never relinquish the lead, making just enough plays to fend off the Eagle attack.

“We just could never take the lead,” said Reserve Christian Coach Natalie Simon. “Everytime we’d get within one or two, they’d make a basket, and we’d come down and see a shot roll out for us. We couldn’t get that last push.”

Reserve (2-10, 0-2) employed the same strategy it used to whittle down a 17-point Grand Isle lead in the first game – relentless, man-to-man pressure defense.

“We knew we wanted to focus on that after the first meeting,” Simon said. “We felt it would help us get turnovers and wear them out.”

Offensively, Blount kept the Eagles in the game with a steady stream of baskets.

“She really moves our team,” said Simon. “If she does well, the team generally does well. She’s our anchor.”

With the series against Grand Isle done, Reserve was on to try to redeem itself with wins in its last two district games against Phoenix. The first was scheduled for Monday, after presstime. The second is scheduled for Feb. 12. The teams split their series last season at a game apiece.