The Boyd Lady Broncos had to stray from their usual strategy of knocking out opponents in the first round.

Franklin Christian Academy put up a fight Friday night in Westwood, making the Boyd faithful wait until the second half for the knock-out punch.

Boyd improved to 19-2 on the season with a 71-36 win at J.K. Stanley Gymnasium.

Laney Copeland and Lia Wright each scored 16 points to lead the Lady Broncos.

The final score may seem one-sided, but Franklin Christian came to play and took a 22-21 lead with 2:38 to go in the opening half.

Boyd ended the first half with a quick flurry, then continued that momentum for the rest of the game.

“It was a different game after halftime,” said Boyd coach Tim Page. “I could tell by their faces in the locker room they would come out ready to play in the second half and they did. The first half was tough. We picked up some early fouls and that took us out of our press and changed some things we wanted to do and we let them go on a little run.”

The Lady Broncos returned to pressing midway through the third quarter with a 49-30 lead. Franklin Christian would only score 6 points the rest of the way as the defensive pressure sparked Boyd’s offense.

Boyd’s Jaycie Hodges put together a nice game. She dove on the floor for loose balls, played tough interior defense, and scored 8 points.

Despite her slight frame, Lady Bronco Audrey Durham played a physical game. She muscled her way to the basket for one layup and injected energy into the offense with 14 points.

Boyd continued scoring until the final buzzer to run away with the win.

BOYD CHRISTIAN – Lia Wright 16, Laney Copeland 16, Audrey Durham 14, Jayce Hodges 8, Anna Jones 7, Sarah Woodruff 4, Krista Chisam 3, Emma Miller 2, Cydney Jane Perry 1. FRANKLIN CHRISTIAN – Top Scorers – Neeley Tarkington 10, Mia McClain 8