Eight 3-point baskets helped Spring Garden defeat Bremen, Georgia, 58-37 on Saturday in the first round of the Haralson County tournament's girls bracket. Kelsey Turner had four treys and finished with 14 points. Heather Smart and Jordan Sides netted two 3-pointers each. The Panthers led 31-20 at halftime and extended that lead to as many as 25 points in the second half.

In her first game back after a painful knee injury more than two weeks ago, Tara Mullinax had 14 points.

"With her on the floor, people just guard us different," Austin said of Mullinax. "It opens up so many things for other people. It really, really gave us a spark, lifted everybody's spirits."

Sides finished with eight points as did Katie Rickman. Smart added five assists.

Defense, especially the efforts of Smart, Rickman and Shelby Malone, was also a positive.

"Their defensive pressure on the point guard did a good job of not letting (Bremen) get into their offense," Austin said of Rickman and Smart.

Austin said Malone came off the bench and held the Bremen post player, who had 22 points at intermission, to two points in the second half. Malone finished with six steals, six rebounds and four points.

"It was the most complete game we've played in a long time," Austin said.

The Panthers played a very athletic Villa Rica, Georgia, team in the semifinal round at Tallapoosa Tuesday. Austin expected a challenge, one he felt would benefit the Panthers.

"This is the game we came over here for," Austin said. "Win or lose, sometimes it can be a turning point in your season."

A win over Villa Rica would move Spring Garden into the championship game at 6 p.m. this evening against the Cherokee County — Heard County winner. With a loss to Villa Rica, the Panthers play in the third place game at 3 p.m. today.