The two teams almost completely filled Rupp Arena’s spacious room with two fan bases, which were both hungry for a win in the Sweet Sixteen and although Adair County hadn’t made a trip to Lexington in over fourteen years, there were times they looked like they’d been there before in a 72-55 win in the first round.
Although they showed some nerves early, the Indians built a 18-9 first quarter lead behind three three-pointers by Dawson Gilbert (who hit two) and Blaine Barden, Isaiah Cochran. The Indians extended the lead to nine at 22-13 on a tip in by Cochran with 5:34 in the second quarter and every time the Marshalls tried to cut into the deficit, Adair County had an answer. With 4:09 before halftime, Marshall County chopped it down to five with a jumper by Tommy Robertson at 22-17, but Conner Loy countered with a three to push it back up to 25-17. After the two teams traded baskets, Robertson hit a three at the 1:43 mark to make it a three-point difference, but two free throws by Dawson Gilbert and a jumper at the buzzer by Loy made it a 31-24 halftime lead.
The Indians went on a 8-2 run to start the third quarter until a tip in by Alex Staples stopped the bleeding at 39-28 with 4:14 left as Marshall County went on a 6-2 run of their own to make it make it a 43-34 lead. However, a Lane three to end the quarter pushed it back up to a 48-36 lead.
In the end, Adair County won the first and the third quarter going 18-9 and 30-20 in points which was the difference. That and the three’s (Adair was 9-17 while Marshall County was 5-14) in the 17-point win by the Indians.
It’s been the Indians philosophy all season, shoot the lights out, get the lead and then force you to play catch up. It’s worked to perfection in their last three Region Tourney games.
Isaiah Cochran led the Indians in scoring with 16-points, followed by Gilbert Dawson with 12, Connor Loy and Grant Lane with 11-each. Brayton Coomer had 10-points. Alex Staples led the Marshalls with 13-points, Matthew Langhi had 12-points and Logan Parker had 11-points.
The Indians 72-55 win means they will advance to the second round (Elite Eight) to face Lyon County, a team which they faced back on February 17th and after a close first half ended up losing 98-48. The two teams love to shoot threes with Adair County making 240 and Lyon County with 321 (Travis Perry had 170).
Either way, Friday afternoon’s (tip off is 1:30) game should feature plenty of offense.
