BARBOURVILLE - Turnovers were the story Monday night as the Pineville Lady Lions fell to host Knox Central, 89-54 in the 51st District semifinals.

The Lady Panthers forced five turnovers in the early going as they jumped out to a 9-0 lead.

Junior Leslie Howard scored seven points as Pineville fought there way back into the game. A 3-pointer from senior Ashley Madon made it 20-13 with a little over a minute to go in the first period.

Howard came up with a steal and the Lady Lions looked like they were ready to make a game of it. But Mary Elliott's layup rolled off the rim and Knox Central came away with the rebound.

Brittany Jordan scored on a putback and Ashley Sizemore turned a steal into a layup to put Knox Central up 23-13 at the end of the first.

Knox Central senior Wendi Messer, the leading scorer in the 13th Region, scored ten points in the first quarter and finished with a game-high 32.

In the second period, the Lady Panther press started taking a toll on Pineville. Sizemore had seven steals in the first half and scored seven points in the second quarter as Knox opened up a 41-26 halftime lead.

Madon scored five points in the third and Victoria Gilley added a 3 as the Lady Lions stayed within striking distance for much of the third.

But Messer hit three 3-pointers while Sizemore and Jordan combined for 13 points as the Lady Panthers went on a prolonged run to open up a 30-point lead.

From there they cruised to the 89-54 win.

Madon, Pineville's lone senior, and Howard each scored 15 points to lead the Lady Lions.

In addition to Messer's 32, Sizemore finished with 20 and Jordan added 17 for Knox Central.

Pineville finishes the season with a 5-22 record, in what turned out to be a re-building year. Howard will return for her senior season having emerged as a dangerous inside scorer, guard Mary Elliott and forward Lindsey Roan will also be seniors and figure to return to the starting lineup. Freshman Brittany Smith got a valuable year of experience running the point and sophomore Victoria Gilley will likely round out next years starting lineup.

Sophomore to be Chatman Taylor will provide depth in the post and eighth-grader Whitney Partin saw significant action in the back court this season.

In Monday's other semifinal game, Barbourville ground out a 34-21 win over Lynn Camp.

Ashley Banfield and Whitney Mills scored nine points each to led the Lady Tigers. They led 20-6 at halftime and hit 6-of-8 free throws in fourth quarter to stay out in front.

Ashley McCreary also scored nine points to lead the Lady Wildcats, who finish their season with an 8-16 mark.

Barbourville (14-11) and Knox Central (16-13) will meet Wednesday for the district title. Both teams also secured spots in the 13th Region tournament with their wins on Monday.

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Pineville 13 13 12 16 - 54

Knox Central 24 17 29 19 - 89

PINEVILLE (54): Ashley Madon 15, Leslie Howard 15, Mary Elliott 7, Brittany Smith 5, Victory Gilley 5, Whitney Partin 5, Lindsey Roan 2.

KNOX CENTRAL (89): Wendi Messer 32, Ashley Sizemore 20, Brittany Jordan 17, Sierra Gibson 7, Charli Sowders 4, Medina Jackson 4, Rachel Scalf 3, Kayla Wilburn 2.

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Lynn Camp 4 2 8 7 - 21

Barbourville 12 8 2 12 - 34

LYNN CAMP (21): Ashley McCreary 9, Taylor Herren 6, Megan Helton 2, Christy Helton 2, Kayla Mason 2.

BARBOURVILLE (34): Whitney Mills 9, Ashley Banfield 9, Dana Abner 6, Callie Mills 6, Ashley Smith 4.