Tyler Nichols and the Cyclones had their hands full. However in the end, they made sure they came out on top.
Elizabethton pulled away late to take a 56-41 victory over Cumberland Gap in the Region 1-AA quarterfinals on Wednesday inside Treadway Gymnasium. The win moves the Cyclones into the Region 1-AA semifinals.
It was a tough sledding for both teams in the opening quarter as the Cyclones held a 13-8 lead after a quarter of play. Conley Bowers and Bo Pless provided a spark to push Elizabethton’s lead to 20-11, but Cumberland Gap battled back to pull within 23-21 at the break.
After the Panthers tied the game to open the third quarter and take the lead midway thorough the quarter, Austin Cornett knocked down a trey to put the Cyclones back in control. Elizabethton led 37-30 heading to the final quarter.
Nichols helped keep Elizabethton in front during the final stanza. The Panthers pulled within five points, but that was as close as they could get as the Cyclones survived and advanced.
Nichols had a game-high 16 points, while Pless added 13 points. Bowers finished with eight points in the game.
Elizabethton advances to play Grainger in the Region 1-AA semifinals with the winner advancing to the championship game as well as substate.
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