06-18-2006, 08:27 AM
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) - Indiana's All-Stars decided to play with a sense of urgency with about seven minutes remaining in their 71-64 victory over Kentucky Saturday in the first game of the Kentucky-Indiana High School All-Star Classic girls game.
Indiana had trailed nearly the entire game, before holding Kentucky to just one field goal over the final seven minutes to eventually overtake the home team and rally for the victory.
"I wish we would have played as hard the whole game as we did at the end," Indiana coach Julie Shelton of Mt. Vernon High said. "But we dug deep and found our defense and got it done."
Ashley Barlow, a Notre Dame signee from Indianapolis Pike, scored 15 of her game-high 23 points in the first half and grabbed 12 rebounds to keep Indiana within striking distance of Kentucky.
Then, Dee Dee Jernigan took control, scoring all 12 of her points in the second half and grabbing 10 rebounds for Indiana. Jernigan scored six consecutive points for Indiana down the stretch, including two free throws that gave Indiana a 62-61 lead, its first since leading 1-0 after the first possession.
Kentucky dominated the early going, outscoring Indiana 13-3 to start the game. But, Indiana pulled away down the stretch, outscoring Kentucky 9-3 after finally regaining the lead.
"We just played good defense and dug down because we didn't want to lose," Barlow said. "There's just something about us that we don't want to lose."
Melissa Mechlitner, also bound for Notre Dame, scored 11 points for Indiana. Indiana Miss Basketball Amber Harris, a 6-5 center, finished with just six points, hitting just 3 of 13 shots from the floor. Harris finished with a game-high seven blocked shots.
Vanderbilt signee Meredith Marsh of Louisville Christian Academy led Kentucky with 15 points. Chelsia Lymon, a Middle Tennessee signee from Scott County, added 13 points. Amber Norton, a Vanderbilt commitment from Assumption High, finished with 11 for Kentucky.
Kentucky Miss Basketball Arnika Brown of Christian County finished eight points and eight rebounds on 3 of 11 shooting. "I thought we played a good game, but we just kind of ran out of gas at the end," Kentucky coach Don Dilliard of Christian County said.
The two all-star teams meet next Saturday at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for a rematch.
Indiana had trailed nearly the entire game, before holding Kentucky to just one field goal over the final seven minutes to eventually overtake the home team and rally for the victory.
"I wish we would have played as hard the whole game as we did at the end," Indiana coach Julie Shelton of Mt. Vernon High said. "But we dug deep and found our defense and got it done."
Ashley Barlow, a Notre Dame signee from Indianapolis Pike, scored 15 of her game-high 23 points in the first half and grabbed 12 rebounds to keep Indiana within striking distance of Kentucky.
Then, Dee Dee Jernigan took control, scoring all 12 of her points in the second half and grabbing 10 rebounds for Indiana. Jernigan scored six consecutive points for Indiana down the stretch, including two free throws that gave Indiana a 62-61 lead, its first since leading 1-0 after the first possession.
Kentucky dominated the early going, outscoring Indiana 13-3 to start the game. But, Indiana pulled away down the stretch, outscoring Kentucky 9-3 after finally regaining the lead.
"We just played good defense and dug down because we didn't want to lose," Barlow said. "There's just something about us that we don't want to lose."
Melissa Mechlitner, also bound for Notre Dame, scored 11 points for Indiana. Indiana Miss Basketball Amber Harris, a 6-5 center, finished with just six points, hitting just 3 of 13 shots from the floor. Harris finished with a game-high seven blocked shots.
Vanderbilt signee Meredith Marsh of Louisville Christian Academy led Kentucky with 15 points. Chelsia Lymon, a Middle Tennessee signee from Scott County, added 13 points. Amber Norton, a Vanderbilt commitment from Assumption High, finished with 11 for Kentucky.
Kentucky Miss Basketball Arnika Brown of Christian County finished eight points and eight rebounds on 3 of 11 shooting. "I thought we played a good game, but we just kind of ran out of gas at the end," Kentucky coach Don Dilliard of Christian County said.
The two all-star teams meet next Saturday at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for a rematch.