GULF SHORES, Alabama — The Gulf Shores Lady Dolphins got just what they needed on Tuesday to stay alive in the 5A Area 2 race: a big win in area play.

Gulf Shores outscored Vigor 24-5 in the second period and routed the visiting Lady Wolves 68-36 behind 32 points from senior Bethany Ogden. Gulf Shores improved to 10-5 overall and 3-2 in area play, and head coach Austin Boyd said his team needed a win to keep its hopes of winning an area title alive.

“We are 3-2 in the area and still in the hunt,” Boyd said. “We came out with a good defensive gameplan and it showed on the court. We came out in a triangle two to put some pressure on their guards and they turned it over. We were able to capitalize on the turnovers, and we were hitting our free throws tonight.”

Ogden scored 19 in the second half, including nine free throws in the fourth period. Nicole Wallace scored nine of her 16 points in the fourth as well. Skylar Stuckey added 11 points in the win.

“Everybody was hustling tonight,” Boyd said. “Ogden, Wallace, Skylar (Stuckey). Hannah Wilson had some good dives on the floor fighting for the ball. It was a good team effort and it always is.”

Gulf Shores put the game nearly out of reach after a 16-2 run to start the second period and took a 33-12 lead at the half.

“I’m proud of them, they did great,” Boyd said. “Vigor is a good team but our defense showed up tonight. That’s what we want. We rebounded better tonight, too. We’ve been working hard on that.”

The Lady Dolphins must win a tough area game on the road tonight at 6 p.m. at rival Spanish Fort, the current area leader. The Lady Toros defeated Gulf Shores 70-48 in their previous meeting.

In the boys game, Vigor took a a 24-13 lead by the end of the first period and never relinquished it on the way to a 74-61 win over Gulf Shores.

Kendall Annan led Gulf Shores with 16 points and Brandon Silvers had 12 in the loss.

The Dolphins will try to rebound in area play at Spanish Fort tonight at 7:30 p.m. Gulf Shores is 1-3 in area play this season.