In a game of runs, the final one went to Bell County.

The Lady Cats basketball team defeated Frankfort High 60-53 in overtime Wednesday in the opening game of the Christmas at the Capital Holiday Classic at F.D. Wilkinson Gym.

“Once we settled down in the overtime period, the girls did what they needed to do to get to the line, and they made their free throws,” Bell County coach David Teague said.

All but two of Bell County’s 10 points in the extra period came on free throws.

“Honestly, I think we’re playing pretty decent basketball right now,” Frankfort coach Deron Norman said. “We missed some free throws down at the end of the game.

“They made free throws and we missed them, and that was the difference in the game.”

The game was close throughout, with the Lady Cats leading 11-6 after the first quarter and Frankfort taking a 24-23 lead at halftime.

Bell County (6-6) was ahead 37-34 at the end of the third quarter and had a four-point lead with 5:38 left in regulation, but a layup and 3-pointer by TiAnna Mitchell gave FHS a 44-43 lead with 4:45 remaining, and neither team led by more than two points the rest of regulation.

“Throughout the game we had way too many turnovers,” Teague said. “but at the same time we forced some turnovers as well.

“It was a game of runs. They’d get up by a few points, and then we’d be up by a few points. We battled back and forth.”

Frankfort went 1-for-4 from the foul line in the final 47 seconds of regulation, with the one free throw giving the Lady Panthers a 50-49 advantage at the 47-second mark.

Bell’s Abby Harris tied the game with a free throw with 27 seconds remaining, and the Lady Cats got the ball back on a jump ball call but turned it over with a traveling violation with 8 seconds left.

Frankfort wasn’t able to get a good shot off before the end of regulation.

The Lady Cats scored the first four points in overtime with foul shots by Harris and a layup by Brittney Cupp, and they never trailed in the extra period.

A putback by Frankfort’s Grace Yocum cut Bell’s lead to 54-52 with 2:16 remaining, but the Lady Cats scored the next four points at the line, going ahead 58-52 with 37 seconds left.

Both teams closed out their scoring on free throws.

“Defensively, we’re playing pretty well,” Norman said. “Offensively, we got over 80 shots today and made 20. It’s just finishing when we have the ball. All in all, I think we’re starting to play pretty well.”

Mitchell led FHS with 15 points, and Grace Edelen finished with 11.

Harris, who was named the player of the game, was the game’s top scorer with 21 points, followed by Cupp with 17 and Karlee Cox with 15.

“I’m proud of the girls for keeping their composure and making plays down the stretch,” Teague said.

Frankfort (2-8) played Trimble County on Thursday in the consolation bracket.

Bell County (6-6) took on Raceland in the first semifinal on Thursday.

———

Bell Co. (60) — Brittany Davis 5, Lindsay Bryant 2, Brittney Cupp 17, Abby Harris 21, Karlee Cox 15.

Frankfort (53) — T.T. Barnett 2, TiAnna Mitchell 15, Madison Close 5, Jamaya Chenault 8, Grace Edelen 11, Grace Yocum 7, Rhealee Ellis 3, Haley Close 2.