Early in January, Assumption defeated George Rogers Clark 61-56 in a triple overtime thriller in Louisville. The two will now meet in Lexington at Rupp Arena tonight for Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Girls’ Basketball Sweet 16® Championship.
George Rogers Clark comes into the finals looking to win their fourth game in less than 72 hours. They have been dominant in the quarter and semifinals, defeating Franklin-Simpson 69-34 and Simon Kenton this afternoon 66-40.
They now face the Assumption Rockets (26-5) out of the 7th Region in Louisville. Assumption defeated Sacred Heart in the 7th Region title game 69-51, leaving no doubt when breaking Sacred Heart’s five-year stranglehold in the Sweet 16®.
Assumption is led by senior Ashlinn James with 14.7 points per game and sophomore Se’Rae Bundrent-Palmer with 12.4 ppg. They beat Calloway County 72–35 in the first round. They then had a comeback win over Frederick Douglass 32-30 in the quarterfinals, and defeated Taylor County 49-29 in the semifinals this morning.
George Rogers Clark 69, Franklin-Simpson 34
Clark led 15-12 after the first quarter, then separated itself in the third quarter, where they scored 31 points to put the game away. George Rogers Clark shot 50.9% from the field, made 8 of 17 from 3-point range and finished a perfect 7-for-7 at the free-throw line. Franklin-Simpson shot 29% and committed 19 turnovers.
George Rogers Clark balanced their scoring in the game. Teigh Yeast scored 19 points and added six assists, Eliyah Strode finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds, three blocked shots and six steals, and Kennedy Stamper and Kyleigh Chestnut scored 12 points each. Clark recorded 20 assists on 27 made field goals. They led in points scored off turnovers (26-2), fast-break points (16-2) and points in the paint (34-8).
Clark outscored Franklin-Simpson 19-6 in the second period to build a 34-18 halftime lead, then added a 31-13 third quarter. Franklin-Simpson did not make a field goal in the fourth quarter. Tiffany Harrigan and Allye Pennington scored 10 points apiece for Franklin-Simpson.
George Rogers Clark 55, Simon Kenton 40
Robbie Graham’s Lady Cardinals carried a strong start to a win. Clark jumped out to a 23-6 lead after one quarter and never trailed. They finished 22 of 49 from the field, made 7 of 16 from behind the arc and forced 18 Simon Kenton turnovers. Simon Kenton shot 38.9% overall and was 2 of 14 from 3-point range.
George Rogers Clark again showed a balanced offense. Kennedy Stamper led the team with 18 points, Jylin Edmonson added 14, Teigh Yeast scored 12 and Kyleigh Chestnut had 10. Clark posted 15 assists, 10 steals, and six blocked shots. The opening quarter set the tone, as Clark shot 70 percent from the field and made five 3-pointers in building the early margin.
Clark outscored Simon Kenton 21-11 in the third quarter. They also held edges in points off turnovers (21-12) and second-chance points. Brynli Pernell and Bella Ober scored 12 points each for Simon Kenton.
Franklin-Simpson Press Conference:
Simon Kenton Press Conference
