Madisonville knocked off a preseason favorite to win the First Region for the second time Saturday when they handed McCracken County a 72-67 setback at the Marshall County Hoopfest. The win came less than 24 hours after the Maroons used a 20-0 run to beat Marshall County 67-57.
The Maroons hit six 3-pointers in the second quarter as they turned a 13-12 deficit into a 37-28 halftime lead thanks to a 23-8 run.
McCracken rallied in the third quarter as they stayed aggressive and held the Maroons to a single field goal in the frame. Madisonville saw their once 14-point lead vanish when Ian McCune hit a pair of free throws with 1:53 left to put the Mustangs up 63-62.
K’Suan Casey hit a bucket, and Keshaun Stone hit four straight free throws to extend the Maroon lead to 68-65 with 20 seconds left. Jackson Sivills hit a bucket to pull McCracken to within one, but Deljuan Johnson hit two free throws with five seconds left for a 70-67 Maroon lead. Marquise Parker came up with a steal on the inbounds and converted a layup for the final margin.
Casey finished with 18 points and seven rebounds to pace four players in double figures. Keshaun Stone scored 15 points, and Kenny White had 13 points and eight rebounds.
Murray State signee Jackson Sivills had 33 points to lead McCracken County (1-1).
Madisonville (3-0) hosts Christian County Tuesday.