GULF SHORES, Ala. – Spanish Fort’s Lady Toros led early and outscored Gulf Shores 16-6 in the fourth period to take a 50-26 win in Class 5A Area 2 play on Friday.

The Lady Toros (15-8, 3-2) had previously lost to Gulf Shores at home in area play and Spanish Fort head coach Justin Moore said his girls were ready to come back and win at Gulf Shores.

“The first time at our place (Gulf Shores) beat us by about eight points,” Moore said. “So of course it is a rivalry anyway, but after the loss to them a couple weeks ago we were really excited about this one.”

Spanish Fort built a 12-4 lead by the end of the first period and led 24-13 at the half. With the fourth period outburst, the Lady Toros doubled up the Lady Dolphins 26-13 in the second half.

“I thought we could work on execution a little more, but transition I think is where the difference was made,” Moore said. “We were able to get out and run a little bit more and get ahead of them. We probably had maybe 15 points or so in transition. That’s really what ended up being the difference. In the second half defensively we started locking them down.”

Forwards Allison Whitley and Brianna Owens led the Lady Toros in scoring. Owens had 13 points, while Whitley scored 11 in the win. Moore said his inside players played an important role in the win.

“We thought we had a little bit of an advantage based on the personnel they had,” he said. “If we had shot maybe 50 percent maybe the score would have been a little bit more, but the girls are working hard. The Gulf Shores girls were banging down inside like ours, so every bucket was challenged and tough. But they ended up having a good night.”

Spanish Fort plays at Robertsdale on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Gulf Shores hosts UMS-Wright on Friday at 6 p.m.