When Christian County cut an 18-point deficit to four with still over 4 minutes to play, Lyon County may have had some flashbacks to last season’s loss to Hopkinsville in the first round of the 2nd Region tournament in Eddyville.
But there would be no heartbreak in Jason White Gymnasium this year.
The Lyons used the inside game of Jackson Shoulders and lots of free throws from Travis Perry to turn away the Colonels 63-51 Tuesday.
Lyon (26-6) advances to face Madisonville-North Hopkins in the 2nd Region semifinals Thursday night at Hopkinsville High School. The Maroons (23-8) outlasted Union County 81-75 in overtime in the first round.
Shoulders had 25 points and Perry 24 for the Lyons, who trailed 7-3 early but came back to take a 23-14 lead after 8 minutes.
By halftime, Lyon seemed to be cruising with a 38-20 advantage.
But the Colonels (10-23) battled back behind the play of Breland Morrison, who scored 16 of his team-high 21 points after the break.
Christian crept to within 46-37 after three quarters, and kept up the pressure in the final frame.
A 3-pointer by Morrison had the Colonels as close as 48-44 with 4:28 remaining in the contest.
However, Lyon countered by pounding the ball inside to Jackson, who scored from in close and drew a foul. His three-point trip gave the Lyons some breathing room at 51-44.
Two Perry free throws then made it 53-44 with 3:55 to play, and the Lyons were able to hang on for a 12-point victory.
Perry was 6-for-6 at the free throw line in the fourth quarter and made 10 of 11 in the contest.
Lyon was 19 of 24 at the stripe overall.
Meanwhile, Christian was 7 of 12 at the free throw line.
Lyon is now 21-0 against 2nd Region teams this season.
Christian County 14 6 17 14 — 51
Lyon County 23 15 8 17 — 63
Christian County (10-23) — Morrison 21, Miles 8, Northington 7, Riley 5, Bateman 4, K. Vaughn 2, T. Vaughn 2.
Lyon County (26-6) — J. Shoulders 25, Perry 24, B. Shoulders 5, Reddick 5, Bingham 4.
