News Ticker

Panthers lock in No. 2 seed in Bull Run Tourney with 58-42 win over Luray

February 10, 2024 PVNPublisher 0

PCHS_GB_AliPurdham_02_09_24 — PCHS sophomore Ali Purdham posted a game-high 18 points against rival Luray during their regular-season finale on Feb. 9.

By Randy Arrington

LURAY, Feb. 9 — Luray relied heavily on the three-ball on Friday night, but came up short against visiting rival Page County, 58-42. Ultimately, the Panthers outshot the Bulldogs both on the floor and at the line to earn their 11th district win and lock in the No. 2 seed for the Bull Run District Tournament, which begins on Monday.

The two rivals locked up at 9-9 after the opening frame. Three different Bulldogs connected from beyond the arc to jump out to a 9-4 lead, before Page picked up five points from sophomore Ali Purdham to even things out in the final minute.

Page County went on a 16-10 run in the second quarter as five different Panthers put up points. While Luray committed a dozen turnovers in the opening 16 minutes, Page went 6-of-7 from the line in the first half and carried a 25-19 lead into halftime.

Luray’s leading scorer, senior Emily Donovan, was held to only seven points on the night and only one basket in the second half. Purdham posted 10 of her game-high 18 points in the second half, as the Panthers added two more to their lead in the third (15-13) and posted an eight-point advantage in the fourth (18-10).

The Bulldogs would hit an amazing nine three-point shots during the game — 27 of their 42 points — but only shoot 33 percent from the floor and 25 percent (3-of-12) from the free throw line. In contrast, the Panthers only shot a little better from the floor at 36 percent, but the real difference was at the charity stripe where Page hit 81 percent (17-of-21). In the final six minutes, the Panthers went 10-of-12 from the line.

Behind Purdham’s 18 points, Page picked up 14 from senior Faith Mason and 10 from senior Bailee Gaskins. Senior Taryn Eppard and senior Adryn Martin both added seven.

Luray was lead by freshman Chloe Gochenour, who hit four shots from beyond the arc for 12 points. Sophomore Ella Parlett put up 10 points, followed by Donovan and senior Jillian Parlett with seven each.

Page County (11-3, 15-8) picked up their fifth-straight win to lock in the Nov. 2 seed in the Bull Run District, which begins Monday, Feb. 12. The Panthers will host No. 7 Madison (2-12, 4-18) at 6 p.m.

Luray (4-10, 6-16) dropped their sixth-straight, and enter next week’s district tournament as the No. 6 seed. The Bulldogs will travel to No. 3 Central (9-5, 14-5) for a 6 p.m. tip-off on Monday.

GIRLS BULL RUN TOURNAMENT ~ Quarterfinal Round ~ 6 p.m. tip Monday, Feb. 12