Ava Hughes scored 10 of her 15 points in the fourth quarter to help McCracken County hold off Hopkins County Central 48-45 Thursday night in Mortons Gap.
An 11-2 run early in the third period helped the Lady Mustangs take the lead for good in the battle of top teams from the 1st and 2nd Regions.
The game was tied 17-17 before McCracken took its biggest leads of the night at 28-19 and 30-21.
Hopkins Central (14-8) battled back to within 38-37 on a 3-pointer from the corner by Calajia Mason midway through the final frame.
However, Hughes had a key 3 at the other end to help keep the Lady Mustangs in the lead.
Mason buried another 3-pointer in the closing seconds to get the Lady Storm within 48-45, but McCracken ran out the clock to secure the win.
Mason tallied a game-high 17 points to lead Hopkins Central. Tyah White added 12 points.
LeZharia Bolen and Abby Casebier each had nine points for McCracken.
Hopkins Central will take the home court again on Friday when it hosts Webster County.
McCracken (17-6) will travel to Owensboro Catholic on Saturday afternoon.
McCracken County 8 9 16 15 — 48
Hopkins Central 5 10 14 16 — 45
McCracken County (17-6)—Hughes 15, Bolen 9, Casebier 9, Clements 5, Hill 4, Houser 3, Shellbourne 3.
Hopkins County Central (14-8)—Mason 17, White 12, Dulin 8, Menser 6, Marsh 2.
