David Green/ Tribune-Courier
Chase Clark drives past a Scott County defender. Clark had a team-high 13 points for the Marshals.
LEXINGTON – Marshall County frustrated highly regarded Scott County in every way en route to a 27-20 halftime lead, but the second half belonged to the Cardinals.
All-state forward Isaiah Ivey led an offensive outburst in the third quarter that left Scott County ahead 41-34, and the Cardinals didn’t relent in the final eight minutes, finishing with a 59-43 victory in a first-round game of the boys’ Sweet Sixteen at Rupp Arena Thursday night.
The defeat ends the most successful season in school history for the Marshals, who finish with a 32-3 record.
Scott County improves to 33-4 and moves on to the quarterfinal round Friday night against the winner of Thursday’s final first-round game between John Hardin and Johnson Central.
The Marshals handcuffed the Cardinal offense in the first two quarters, limiting them to 34 percent shooting on eight of 23 field goals, including one of five from three-point range.
The Marshals, meanwhile, were disciplined on offense and hit nine of 16 shots for a 56 percent clip.
The numbers were effectively reversed in the second half, as Scott County was able to assert its offense and stifle the Marshals’ efforts to score.
Ivey, a 6-3 guard, scored 11 points to lead the third-quarter surge. He, Trent Gilbert and Quinn Richardson all hit three-point field goals during the period. Ivey’s trey, at the 2;31 mark, put Scott County ahead at 35-34 and the Cardinals never trailed after that.
They ran the advantage to as much as 20 points before the finish.
Chase Clark led the Marshals with 13 points. Cole Nelson added 11.
Ivey had 19 points for the winners. Tamron Manning added 12.
