LEXINGTON – Pikeville left everything on the floor in its opening round matchup with Casey County in the girls’ Sweet 16 matchup played at Rupp Arena on Wednesday night.
The Lady Panthers fought back from a 12-point deficit and closed to within a single point with just 19 seconds left before the Lady Rebels held on to escape with a 49-46 victory.
Pikeville, which was making its second straight appearance in the state tournament, had one last chance to tie but senior Kelsey Jo Tackett’s three-point shot missed. She finished with seven.
Kirsten Cole Williamson led Pikeville (26-8) with 15 points and 14 rebounds to finish with a double-double while Trinity Rowe followed with 14. Her two free throws pulled the Lady Panthers to within 47-46.
Pikeville hit 18 of 36 shots for the game, including two of only three treys. They converted on 8 of 14 foul shots.
At Lexington
(Sweet 16 Tournament)
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
PK (26-8)….10 9 11 16 – 46
CC (28-7)….14 15 6 14 – 49
Scoring:
Pikeville (46) – Trinity Rowe 6 2-2 14; Kelsey Jo Tackett 2(1) 0-0 7; Alivia Gearheart 0 2-4 2; Kirsten Cole-Williamson 6 3-6 15; Emma Ratliff 0(1) 0-0 3; and McKenzie Maynard 2 1-2 5. Totals: 16(2) 8-14 46.
Casey County (49) – Lauren Lee 3(2) 3-5 15; Jordyn Stephens 2(2) 6-8 16; Gena Cravens 0(3) 0-0 9; Natalie Duggins 2 0-0 4; Shaylah Wilkey 1 1-4 3; and Haley Brock 1 0-0 2. Totals: 9(7) 10-17 49.