Alice Lloyd Lady Eagles basketball concludes season in NCCAA Mideast Region Tournament

Pippa Passes, KY: On Thursday, March 6th, the #4 seeded Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles returned home to the Perry Campus Center and "Coach J Court" host the #1 seeded Asbury University Lady Eagles in the second semi-final game of the NCCAA Mideast Regional Tournament. The winner of this contest would advance to the finals on Friday to face the #2 seeded Oakland City Mighty Oaks, who earlier pulled out a 79-71 decision over the #3 seed, the Ohio Christian Trailblazers. The host Eagles battled hard and hung close, but the firepower of Asbury was too tough to overcome, and they dropped a 103-84 decision.

In the first period,the Caney Creek squad came out well, behind the one-two punch of senior guard Katie Jo Moore-Gillespie and sophomore forward Jamie Cowan. Their club would race out to a 23-15 advantage after ten minutes of action.

In the second quarter, the central Kentucky squad saw Emily Sizemore heat up to lead her squad back. Even though the home crew would receive some nice minutes from sisters Bailey and Shelby Stewart, the guests would close on a late run to seize the period and lead 45-37 at the break.

In the third period, Asbury unleashed a press, and it fueled a big 34-24 advantage. This would permit AU to extend their lead to eighteen points (79-61) heading into the final stanza.

In the final quarter, the Pippa Passes posse would refuse to go away quietly as they battled to the wire. Unfortunately, anytime they cut into the deficit, Asbury would manage a bucket to help them stave off a major comeback.

For ALC (10-19), Moore-Gillespie ended her fine career with 22 points (7-14 FG; 7-8 FT). She also nabbed 8 rebounds. Cowan performed a rare feat, as she recorded a triple-double with 16 points (6-12 FG), 21 monster rebounds, and 10 assists, and proves that she will be one of the top players returning to the hardwood next season on any club.

Sophomore guard Shelby Stewart drilled 4 bombs to finish with 16 points while freshman guard Bailey Stewart chipped in with 12 points and 9 rebounds of her own. Cowan, Moore, and the Stewart ladies all had 2 steals.

The Caney Club finished shooting 46.4% (32-69) from the field and 37.9% (11-29) from long range. They connected on 75% (9-12) from the foul line while adding 51 rebounds, 21 assists and 10 steals.

Sizemore paced the victorious squad (18-9) with 28 points. Her team finished shooting 42.5% (31-73) from the field, 34.5% (10-29) from behind the arc and 73.8% (31-42) from the charity stripe. They also added 37 rebounds, 14 assists, and 16 steals.

The Lady Eagles will graduate Moore-Gillespie, and hard-working Jaylen Combs, but return the rest of their firepower.  With the committments of a few new players, the future looks bright indeed for the Pippa Passes posse.