Missed free throws down the stretch turned out to be costly for the Lyon County Lyons Thursday night. The Lyons would miss three free throws over the final 90 seconds, two of them the front end of one-and-the-bonus situations, as Campbellsville junior Kameron Smith drained a three with just 2.6 seconds to go to lead the Eagles to a 64-63 win over Lyon County at the Campbellsville High School Holiday Classic.
A Travis Perry desperation three was off the mark as the horn sounded to end the game.
Early on, it looked like the Lyons would run away with the game. The Lyons led 20-8 after the opening quarter. They had their biggest lead of the night in the opening seconds of the second quarter, as they lead grew to 14 points at 22-8.
The Eagles, coached by former UK player Anthony Epps, then began to fight their way back into the game. By the half, Campbellsville had trimmed the lead to 33-30.
Campbellsville continued their rally in the second half. When the third quarter came to an end, the scored was knotted up at 44-44, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
A Malachi Corley jumper with 50.8 seconds to go put the Eagles in front by one. Travis Perry hit a jumper in the paint to put Lyon County back in front. The Lyons then forced a Campbellsville turnover and went to the line with a chance to push the lead out to three. The Lyons made only one of the two free throws, and it cost them dearly as Smith hit the winning shot just 14 seconds later.
Lyon County was led by Travis Perry with 24 points. Jackson Shoulders added 21. The pair were the only Lyons to reach double figures in the contest.
Mikael Vaught led the Eagles with 13 points. He was one of four Campbellsville players to reach double figures.
With the loss, Lyon County falls to 7-3 on the season. They will take on Washington County Friday afternoon.
