HARLAN - The regional tournament atmosphere is totally different than anything a team will experience throughout its regular season.

Just ask Whitley County or Pineville.

The two teams stumbled through the first quarter of Thursday's first-round game at the 13th Region Tournament with minimal success. Although both teams began playing better in the second quarter, it was the Lady Colonels who outlasted Pineville to win 51-37 and advance to Saturday afternoon's semifinals.

As both teams struggled early, it seemed to be for very different reasons. Whitley County got decent looks, but the shots would not fall. Pineville, on the other hand, fell victim to overwhelming full-court pressure, turning the ball over eight times in the opening quarter.

Whitley only held a five-point lead going into the second quarter - surprising considering the few shot attempts taken by the Lady Lions. The shot disparity was balanced by the Lady Colonels' inability to put the ball in the basket, as they hit only four of 18 shots from field in the opening quarter.

The poor shooting did not continue into the second quarter for either team, but Whitley County got hot first. Two baskets each by Samantha Daugherty and Stephanie McCullah gave the Lady Colonels an 18-7 lead early in the second period.

Pineville battled back to make it a close game at the half. Becky Combs, Ashley Madon and Chasity Fuston all hit 3-pointers as the Lady Lions cut the deficit to 27-23 by halftime.

"We felt like in the first half we weren't playing anybody. We were just standing around and letting them catch the ball wherever they wanted it," said Whitley County coach Larry Anderson.

"We were 10-for-37 from the field in the first half, and when you shoot the ball like that and you're not playing well defensively, then you're not going to do good things."

The Lady Colonels rectified their problems from the first half by holding the Lady Lions scoreless until two minutes left in the third quarter.

Daugherty had a big third quarter for Whitley County as she scored all but two of her team's points in the period. The senior forward outscored Pineville in the quarter 9-5, giving Whitley County a 38-28 lead heading into the final period.

Both teams went into the bonus during the fourth quarter. Whitley County took adavantage, stretching its lead as a result of excellent free throw shooting. The Lady Lions forced up shots in their attempt to battle back, but came up well short despite playing one of their better games of the season.

"I thought our girls came out and played as well as they could," Pineville coach Elizabeth Madon said.

Pineville is looking ahead toward a rebuilding season next year with the loss of four seniors. The Lady Lions will also welcome three new rivals into the 51st District next season, Barbourville, Lynn Camp and Knox Central. Despite the massive changes ahead, Madon said she feels the outlook is bright.

"We've lost our four seniors, and that's a big loss, but we've got a lot of young girls that are excited and ready to play next year," she said. "They've already said, 'Hey coach when are we gonna start practicing,' so that's a help to me."

The Lady Lions enjoyed a renaisance of sorts this season, compiling a 14-16 record, but claiming their first district title in more than 20 years.

The Lady Colonels were led Daugherty and McCullah with 17 and 12 points, respectively.

Whitley County (18-13) moves on to the semifinals to meet Clay County. The Lady Tigers advanced via a 56-37 win over Cumberland in Thursday's nightcap.

"We know what Clay County has with (point guard Jayme) Gilbert. We'll have to play a lot better Saturday if we're going to win that game," said Anderson.