Lady Eagles Drop Close Decision to Asbury in Mideast Region Finals, 75-71

Pippa Passes, KY:  On Saturday, March 4th, the #2 seeded Asbury University Lady Eagles journeyed to Pippa Passes to take on the top-seeded Lady Eagles of Alice Lloyd to see which club would earn the Mideast Regions automatic bid to the NCCAA National Championship beginning March 15th. The visitors were able to come to Caney Creek and accomplish something which had only been done once all season; beat ALC on their home floor. Clutch free throws enabled the central Kentucky squad to hold on for the huge 75-71 upset.

In the opening period, the squads battled out of the gate. ALC senior guard Hannah Kash and junior guard Hannah Malcomson combined for 11 points to give their club a 13-10 lead at the five-minute mark.

However, sparked by 8 points from guard Trinity Shearer, Asbury closed with an 8-3 run and led 18-13 after ten minutes of play.

In the second quarter, Kash delivered 9 more points, but it was not enough to help her club overcome the deficit. AU would go into the locker room at intermission, nursing a 35-29 advantage.

In the third period, the east Kentucky club would come out of the locker room determined. Thanks to the play of junior forward Madison Thompson, they would get within just two (42-40). Unfortunately, the Wilmore squad closed with a run of their own, and would still hold a 58-50 cushion heading into the last quarter.

In the final stanza, the Pippa Passes crew would try their best to come back. A nice shot inside the paint by Thompson got her team within two once more (61-59) with 7:14 showing, but yet again, AU would then roll off a burst to gain some breathing room (68-59). Unfortunately, the visitors would then proceed to sink 8-10 charity tosses in the final :55 to preserve the upset win.

For Alice Lloyd (19-9). Kash finished with a game-high 26 points, including 5 trifectas. She also dished off 3 assists and grabbed 8 boards. Thompson provided a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double, while sophomore guard Katie Jo Moore chipped in with 10 points. Freshman guard Shelby Stewart recorded 2 steals.

The Lady Eagles shot 34.7% (25-72) from the field and 26.7% (8-30) from long range. They connected on 72.2% (13-18) from the foul line and added 42 rebounds, 13 assists, and 5 steals.

Midway (17-10) was paced by Shearer with 22 points. Her squad finished shooting 41.5% (22-53) from the field and a crucial 46.4 % (13-28) from deep. They used the free throw line to their advantage, connecting on 75 % (18-24). They also added 40 rebounds, 17 assists, and 6 steals.

By virtue of their solid season and impressive power rating, the Caney Creek crew are hoping to receive an at-large bid in the NCCAA National Championship beginning March 15TH in Lake Winona, Indiana. Parings will be announced next week.