On the heels of a four-game losing run and without a win over Lyon County dating back to 2018, the Livingston Central girls’ basketball used a hot start to build a double-digit advantage and held off a Lady Lyon rally to earn a 48-42 victory on Friday in Smithland.
The Lady Lyons had taken the last twelve meetings with their 5th-District rivals, but it was the Lady Cardinals controlling the game from the opening whistle.
Sophomore Victoria Joiner led the charge with 14 first-quarter points, including four straight to put Livingston up 13-6 late in the frame. Courtney Collins scored on a putback to cut the margin to five, but Joiner capped the quarter with her third three-pointer to double up the Lady Lyons 16-8.
Lyon County managed only four points in the second, and Livingston Central closed the quarter on a 7-0 run to lead 27-12 at the break. Emersyn Ramage did her damage in the paint with five points for the Lady Cardinals, and Maggie Downey added four.
Lyon’s Trinity Taylor and Lexi Holland combined for ten points in the third, but the Lady Lyons couldn’t cut into the deficit and still trailed by 15 with a quarter to play.
Ella DeFew’s baseline jumper cut it to ten with just over four minutes left, and it was down to seven after a pair of free throws by Taylor. With a chance to get within five, the Lady Lyons missed on two free-throw attempts, but it was 45-39 after Piper Cotham connected on one of two at the line with :36 left.
A Livingston turnover gave the Lady Lyons the ball with an opportunity to trim it to one possession, but Aubrey Leahy came up with a steal and hit two free throws to seal the win for the Lady Cardinals.
The Lady Lyons slipped to 0-3 in district play, while Livingston moved to 2-1.
Joiner led all scorers with 23, followed for the Lady Cardinals by Ramage with 12.
Taylor was the lone Lady Lyon in double figures with 17, including ten in the fourth quarter.
Lyon County travels to Daviess County on Saturday before beginning play in the 2nd Region All-A Classic next week.
Livingston Central will host Dawson Springs on Monday.
Lyon County 8 4 12 18 — 42
Livingston 16 11 12 9 — 48
Lyon County (4-9) — Taylor 17, Holland 9, Cotham 5, Collins 4, DeFew 4, Perry 3
Livingston (6-6) — Joiner 23, Ramage 12, Downey 5, Holman 4, A. Leahy 3, T. Leahy 1
