Malerie Drinkard drives the ball against a Hazel Green defender. | Brent Maze

When Brewer had its backs against the wall, the unbeaten Lady Patriots were at their best.

After Hazel Green cut the Brewer lead to one point in the fourth quarter, the Lady Patriots went on a big run to take a 51-41 lead with three minutes to play and went on to win 53-48, in spite of a Hazel Green run in the closing moments.

“We needed that game,” said Brewer coach Ricky Allen. “It makes you feel good to see your team have true toughness when adversity comes. You never know what you have until you get in a game like this. It”

Riley Northway led the way with 26 points and 10 rebounds, but it was her four assists, most of which came down the stretch, that proved to be the difference.

One of those assists came on a pass to Savana Flack, who hit one of her 3-pointers in the run. She finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Malerie Drinkard had nine points and four rebounds while Cheyenne McLemore had four points, four rebounds and three assists.

Brook Childers also had three points.

Jada Dale led Hazel Green with 16 points.

Both teams were tied at 16 at the end of the first quarter. Brewer took a 29-25 lead and maintained that four point advantage through the third quarter.

But it was the run down the stretch that proved to be the difference.

Brewer 65, Rogers 31

Northway finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists to lead Brewer while Childers had 13 points.

Drinkard and Flack each had seven points. Drinkard also had 13 rebounds. Presley Craft added five points followed by Tamena Chatam, McLemore and Shelbi Bowen had four each.

Brewer 84, Cold Springs 46

Northway led the way with 33 points and 12 rebounds including four 3-pointers to lead the Lady Patriots.

Flack added 14 points and five rebounds and three assists followed by Drinkard with 13 points, 13 rebounds, four assist and four steals. Bowen finished with six points followed by Childers, McLemore and Chatam with five points each and Craft with three points and six assists.

Brewer 61, Northridge 21

Northway added 27 points and six rebounds to lead the way while Flack had 11 points and Childers had eight points.