Cardinals beat Bulldogs in overtime 80-71

STAFF REPORT

BSN

PIKEVILLE — Martin County outscored Lawrence County 16-7 during an overtime period to win 80-71 in the semifinals of the 15th Region Boys’ Basketball Tournament at Appalachian Wireless Arena on Saturday, March 4.

The loss eliminated Lawrence County from the 15th Region Boys’ Basketball Tournament. Lawrence County ended its 2022-23 season 19-15.

The Bulldogs and Cardinals exchanged leads during the region tournament game.

Lawrence County started strong, outscoring Martin County 21-15 in the first quarter.

The Bulldogs led 32-30 at halftime but fell behind after the break.

Martin County was out in front 47-45 at the end of the third quarter.

But the Bulldogs pulled even. Lawrence County and Martin County were tied 64-64 at the end of regulation.

Brayden McKenzie scored a game-high 29 points to lead Martin County to the win.

In addition to McKenzie reaching double figures for the Cardinals, Matt Linville and Dray Duff netted 13 points apiece.

Finishing near double figures for Martin County, Jacob Sturgill scored nine points and Luke Hale added eight points.

Peyton Davis and Devan Maynard rounded out Martin County’s individual scoring, chipping in six points and two points, respectively.

Will Lafferty led Lawrence County, scoring a team-high 23 points for the Bulldogs. Along with Lafferty reaching double figures for Lawrence County, Andrew Bloomfield scored 18 points and Logan Ratliff netted 11 points.

Barely missing double figures for the Bulldogs, Blake Marcum contributed nine points.

Chipping in offensively for Lawrence County, Hayden Perry posted eight points and Kaden Gillispie added two points.

Lawrence County managed to make 10 three-pointers in the region tournament game. The Bulldogs shot 67.8 percent (19 of 28) from the free-throw line in the season-ending loss.