At halftime, the Bishop Brossart Lady ‘Stangs (20-11 overall) had the favored George Rogers Clark Lady Cardinals (29-2) within striking distance trailing just 18-13.
But Bishop Brossart could not keep it up in the second half. GRC pulled away for a 45-27 victory and a spot in the region championship game Saturday back at Nicholas County against 40th District rival Montgomery County.
Bishop Brossart beat GRC, 61-47 in the same round in Winchester last year. The Lady ‘Stangs then knocked off Montgomery County, 61-47 in the title game before losing 50-48 in the first round of the state tournament against Bowling Green.
Brossart made two three-pointers and 3 of 4 free throws for 75 percent. The Lady ‘Stangs also had 20 rebounds and 25 turnovers. Senior guard Lauren Macht led Bishop Brossart with 11 points. Senior guard Madison Parker and junior forward Molly Kramer made the all-tournament team.
GRC had one triple and made 4 of 11 free throws for 36 percent. The Lady Cardinals also had 23 rebounds, 15 turnovers and 13 fouls. Junior wing Brianna Byars led GRC with 18 points and younger sister in freshman guard Ciara Byars had 11 points and seven rebounds.
Bishop Brossart graduates four players from the 37th District champion team. They are Macht, Parker, center Alexis Kaeff and forward/guard Bentley Fisher.
10th Region Girls Basketball Tournament at Nicholas County:
Quarterfinals on Monday, Feb. 28:
Bishop Brossart 43, Bracken County 37
George Rogers Clark 70, Pendleton County 33
Quarterfinals on Tuesday, March 1:
Montgomery County 59, Nicholas County 37
Mason County 33, Campbell County 26
Semifinals on Friday, March 4:
George Rogers Clark 45, Bishop Brossart 27
Montgomery County 49, Mason County 21
Championship Game on Saturday, March 5:
Montgomery County (21-12) vs. George Rogers Clark (29-2), 7 p.m.