The Winterboro Lady Bulldogs used stifling defense and timely free throw shooting to upset the Oxford Lady Yellow Jackets 53-41 on Tuesday in Alpine.

The Lady Bulldogs got off to a slow start as Oxford jumped out to a 104 advantage going into the second quarter. Winterboro outscored Oxford 15-9 to even the game up at 19-19 going into halftime.

Winterboro’s defense took over in the second half as they outscored Oxford 35-22.

“In the second half we began to hit free throws,” said Winterboro head coach Sheroderick Smith. “We didn’t do well in the first half. We were able to get Oxford in foul trouble. We were able to extend our lead in the third quarter by getting to the free throw line and making them. In the fourth quarter we went 7-10 from the free throw line. I think our defense and free throws worked in our favor.”

Jasmine Richardson led the way for Lady Bulldogs with 16 points, five rebounds and five steals.

Teneshia Merrit scored 15 points and pulled down eight boards for Winterboro. Anslea Twymon chipped in with 12 points and six rebounds.

“(Merritt) knocked down some big shots and got some big steals,” Smith said. “If she and Jasmine continue to grow as well as my eighth grader Anslea Twymon, we should be really competitive against bigger schools on a consistent basis.”