MEADVILLE – In one of the lowest scoring games in Franklin County basketball history, the Lady Bulldogs collected a 34-17 Monday night win over the St. Andrew’s Lady Saints in the first round of the South State Class 3A Playoffs.

The Lady Bulldogs (15-8) advance to the South State Tournament at Choctaw Central in Philadelphia Thursday evening. FCHS will play Collins. The FC/Collins winner will face the survivor of the SE Lauderdale/Forest contest Friday evening at 6. The tournament finals are set for Saturday night at 6:30.

Franklin County, coached by Chris Jordan, hustled in the first half as FCHS held St. Andrew’s scoreless in the first quarter.

The Lady Bulldogs led 17-5 at intermission.

In the third quarter, Franklin County senior K’aira Sykes put on a shooting display as she scored eight of her game-high 22 points to give the Lady Bulldogs a 26-11 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

FCHS outscored St. Andrews 8-6 in the final frame to savor the victory.

Sykes, a 5-5 guard, led all scorers with 22 points and five rebounds. Senior playmaker Genesis Hunt added six assists, four rebounds, and three steals on defense.