The Fort Dale girls' basketball team fell to the Escambia Academy Lady Cougars Friday night in the opening game of the FDA Thanksgiving Classic at Fort Dale but the girls triumphed over Bessemer in their second game of the tournament.

The Lady Cougars defeated the Lady Eagles in a very close match-up in the first game, with a final score of 44-30 Escambia Academy.

The Lady Eagles kept the score very close until the very end of the game and several penalties led to free-throws for the Lady Cougars, allowing them to increase their lead over the Lady Eagles.

Leading the Lady Eagles in scoring was Laura Skipper, with 11 points for the game. Skipper also led the team in steals with 3.

Ashley Paulk also led the team with 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

In the Lady Eagles' second game of the tournament, the girls crushed Bessemer Academy 46-9 and improved their record to 2-1 for the season.

Brandi Hicks led the Lady Eagles with 8 points for the game while Frances Watts led in rebounds with 11. Ashley Paulk had 4 steals for the Lady Eagles.

The Lady Eagles will travel to Pike Liberal Arts School in Troy tomorrow night to face the Lady Patriots.