LEXINGTON — Two electrifying dunks by Ayden Evans in the fourth quarter gave Elizabethtown the lead for good during the Panthers’ first round matchup against McCracken County in Wednesday’s UK HealthCare Boys’ Sweet 16.
With his team trailing, 37-36, Evans recorded consecutive dunks that gave Elizabethtown a 40-37 advantage with less than five minutes remaining.
The Panthers did just enough to hold on and earn a spot in Friday’s Elite Eight against Woodford County with a 48-44 win.
Evans led his team with 21 points, and four rebounds while Tyler Todd scored 10 points and finished with three assists.
Connor Miller led the Mustangs with 15 points while Jack McCune followed with 14 points.
Elizabethtown managed to do just enough to take a 14-13 advantage into the second quarter.
The Panthers shot 5-of-12 from the floor, and received a 10-point scoring effort from Evans.
McCracken County regained the lead in the second quarter and held a 24-22 advantage with less than a minute remaining before consecutive 3-pointers by Elizabethtown’s Howard gave the Panthers a 25-24 lead at halftime.
Howard led Elizabethtown with six points in the first half while Williams had four points. The Panthers shot 8-of-22 from the floor, and we’re outrebounded by the Mustangs, 16-6, during the first half.
Hart led McCracken County with nine points while McCune had seven points.
Miller caught the hot-hand in the third quarter for the Mustangs. His eight points allowed McCracken County to regain a 37-36 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
Two dunks by Evans and clutch free throws down the stretch by his teammates allowed the Panthers to pull off a 48-44 win.
