The King’s Fork Lady Bulldogs came out flat against Ocean Lakes on Monday night but ran away with the game in the second half, advancing past the opening round of the Eastern Region tournament by defeating the Lady Dolphins 54-32 at Great Bridge High School.

“The first half we started out real slow, but once again, we made adjustments at halftime,” Lady Bulldogs head coach Maurice Fofana said.

King’s Fork held the lead throughout the game, but nothing on the first half scoreboard indicated a blowout was about to occur. The Lady Dolphins trailed 11-6 after the first period and 27-20 at halftime.

“Our offense the first half wasn’t good, but we came out in the second half and played much better offense, passed the ball well, made open shots,” Fofana said.

Ocean Lakes did not prove to be the running team that King’s Fork likes to be, and the Lady Bulldogs began to wear the Lady Dolphins down.

“In the third quarter, we actually only allowed two points,” Fofana said.

King’s Fork outscored its opponent 14-2 in the third, giving it a 19-point lead.

The Lady Bulldogs were forced to play without senior shooting guard Shaikeyla Jordan, a starter, due a leg injury. Fofana had no update on her status that would indicate when she will be able to return, but pointed out that his team played well under the circumstances.

“I think they made a pretty good adjustment,” he said.

Senior wing Adrieanna McCrary, a key contributor who typically comes off the bench, started in place of Jordan on Monday. She had nine points.

Junior center Khadedra Croker had a characteristically outstanding game, leading the Lady Bulldogs with 17 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocked shots. Senior wing Chantel Roberts had 10 points, seven boards and four assists. Senior small forward Julissa Riddick chipped in seven points.

All of the girls on this year’s team were returnees from last year’s squad and thus have previous experience at the expansive Norfolk Scope Arena, the setting for the next round of the regional tourney.

“I think it should help out,” Fofana said.

The Lady Bulldogs will play at Scope on Thursday.