Photo credit: DUSTY LAYNE
The Pikeville Lady Panthers did not mind the late start to its game with Danville Christian Academy at McBrayer Arena in Richmond on Wednesday.
Pikeville scored the game’s first seven points and never looked back in trouncing the Lady Warriors, 63-32, in the opening round matchup which ended after 11 pm.
The Lady Panthers, now 18-1 overall, won their 17th straight game and dropped DCA to 15-4 in their debut. It’s just the second-ever tournament win and first since 2000.
Trinty Rowe scored 16 of her game-high 18 points in the first half as Pikeville built a 33-17 lead. She dished out nine assists, had five steals and five rebounds.
Emma Ratliff followed with 13 points and Kyera Thornsbury, in her first start, tossed in 12.
Rylee Theiss and Leighan Jackson had eight rebounds each in the win. Pikeville forced 24 turnovers
The Lady Panthers will face West Carter at 1 pm Friday in the quarterfinals. Pikeville beat the Lady Comets by seven points earlier this season on the road.
At Richmond
(All ‘A’ Classic state tournament)
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
DCA (15-4)…..4 13 10 5 – 32
P (18-1)……..15 18 14 16 – 63
Scoring:
Danville Christian (32) – Maggie Bentley 2 1-4 5; Tristen Himes 0 2-2 2; Victoria Inmon 1(2) 3-7 11; Grace Mbugua 4(1) 2-2 13; and Esther Kwagala 0 1-2 1. Totals: 7(3) 9-17 32.
Pikeville (63) – Emma Ratliff 2(3) 0-0 13; Trinity Rowe 5(2) 2-2 18; Kristen Whited 1 0-0 2; Kera Thornsbury 4(1) 1-2 12; Rylee Theiss 1 3-4 5; Nocole Lin 9(1) 0-0 3; Leighan Jackson 1(1) 3-4 8; and Kylie M. Hall 1 0-0 2. Totals: 15(8) 9-12 63.
Next up: Pikeville (18-1) vs, West Carter (16-4), 1 pm, Friday.