Roger Patterson Ledger Sports Editor

Doristean Norris had 17 points and Latoya Robbs added 11 as the Gaffney girls’ basketball team rebounded from its season-opening loss by beating host Union, 55-52, on Friday.

The Lady Indians led by 14 at halftime and at the end of the third quarter. The Lady Indians would need almost every bit of that lead to overcome a strong fourth quarter by the Lady Yellow Jackets.

Robbs’ two free throws gave the Indians a seemingly comfortable 48-39 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but Union erased almost all of the deficit on Adrerrica Rice’s layup that made it a one-point game with 1:15 remaining.

Shelise Ratchford then answered with a bucket for Gaffney and Union turned the ball over on its next possession.

Robbs then added a free throw to extend the advantage to four with :20 left to play. Union’s Aisha Littlejohn cut the deficit to 53-50 with a free throw.

In the game’s final :12, Ratchford and Robbs made free throws to seal the win.

The Lady Indians dominated early to lead 17-8 at the end of the first quarter. Gaffney went on a spurt in the second quarter to enjoy a 14-point bulge at the break.

“We played hard,” Gaffney coach Roger Patterson said. “I didn’t like that we allowed them back into the game.”

Gaffney, 1-1, will host Byrnes on Tuesday.