ALBANY — The Griffin High Lady Bears basketball team gave a good accounting of itself Tuesday evening, but it fell just short of a win.

The Lady Bears, who hadn’t made the state playoffs in 11 years, took the Dougherty Lady Trojans to overtime but lost 72-66 in the first round of the Class AAAA state basketball playoffs at Dougherty High. Dougherty advances to the state second round with a 16-7 record while Griffin’s season ends at 13-15.

Tuesday’s game was a battle from the onset. The score was tied at 11-all after one quarter and Dougherty led 24-23 at halftime. The teams battled in the second half, with Dougherty leading 37-34 heading into the fourth and the score was tied at 53-all at the end of regulation.

The Lady Bears tried hard, but couldn’t outlast Dougherty in OT. Griffin held a lead late in the overtime period, but it turned the ball over and the homestanding Lady Trojans took advantage of the mistake to win the contest.

Aurelia Mangham led Griffin with 17 points and 5 assists and junior forward Alexis Roberts added 16 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Ashton Elliott scored 14 points and dished 3 assists, Chelsea Prather had 8 points and 8 rebounds, Xandria Hosely snagged 11 rebounds and Victoria Middlebrooks pulled down 7 rebounds.

The Lady Bears should be in contention next year for a state berth, as the nucleus of the young team will be back. Griffin loses only 3 seniors.