Lowndes overcame early offensive struggles to earn a 42-21 road win over Meadowview on Saturday.

The Trojans were the only team to hand the Rebels a loss during their Class AA state title run last year, and after a quarter of play, Meadowview had a chance to do it again. The Trojans held a 7-4 advantage after the opening period — the lowest quarter point total Lowndes has scored in more than five years.

“It’s been that way all year,” Lowndes coach Matt Marshall said. “We just don’t have the speed we did last year.”

Marshall scolded his team between quarters, and the Rebels picked up the pace. A Morgan Senn layup catapulted Lowndes to an 8-0 run to start the second quarter, and put the Rebels ahead 12-7. They closed the half with a 7-0 run capped by a Kayla Mason layup to take a 23-11 lead at the break.

As Lowndes found its groove, the Trojans — led by boys coach Robby Redd in lieu of Ceil Ann Cooper — continued to struggle from the floor. After scoring seven points in the first quarter, they were limited to eight over the next two periods.

“Our girls felt like they could win,” said Redd. “I think they would’ve done much better if Mrs. Cooper was here.”

Cooper was absent due to tending to an ill family member.

Leading 34-15 in the fourth quarter, the Rebels secured the win with a 9-2 run sparked by a Senn 3-pointer to push the lead to 40-17.

Jamie Wheeler led the Rebels with 11 points and Kayla Mason added 10.

Jayla Kaldor led Meadowview with 12 points, and Katey McIntyre finished with four.