Warren Central played Bowling Green tough during both regular season matchups, but came up short on both occasions. LaShae Halsel, back from the foot injury that forced her to miss Game 2 in the 2015 series between the Lady Purples and Lady Dragons, didn’t start, but played big minutes in Round 3. In the first half, she had eight big points and played her trademark solid defense and rebounded the basketball exceptionally well. At the half, after a slow start and a fleet of Lady Dragons turnovers, Warren Central held a 35-33 lead. They trailed throughout the first quarter and early in the second, but the momentum shifted. But, for Bowling Green, there was still a half of basketball left to play.
In the third quarter, the Lady Purples found momentum and for much of the rest of the game, it remained a back and forth dogfight. With 2:55 left to play, Warren Central held a 60-59 lead. Tia Barnett had 27 points, which would be a game high. Bowling Green scored six unanswered in the following :55 to take a 65-60 lead with two minutes to play. The game finished 71-62, behind great defense in the open floor and shot making from Deija Moore and Keely Vincent. The Lady Dragons finish the season 17-11 and 5-4 in district play. A tremendous and dramatic semifinal game as Warren Central had a chance to win and held a lead with three minutes remaining.
FINAL: BG 71, WC 62 (Barnett 27, Vincent 21 – Named POG)
