But this time, Kentucky led much of the game and still trailed only 74-71 with 3:17 left. Diggins scored five of her team's next seven points to extend the lead to 81-75 with 1:33 remaining. Kentucky had a chance to get closer but missed three shots from nearly point-blank range, and then Diggins hit Kelly Faris for a layup before she made two free throws to seal the victory. Kentucky missed its final seven shots.
"Kentucky came out and took it to us in the first half," Indiana girls coach Stan Benge of Ben Davis said. "I don't think it was Kentucky let up; I thought we stepped it up. We have a very competitive group of girls, and we did it right in the second half." Kentucky Miss Basketball Adia Mathies of Iroquois led her team with 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting. Warren East's Ashley Rainey added 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Tiara Hopper had 11 points and eight rebounds.
Kentucky shot just 25of72, including 4of21 three-pointers. Kentucky outrebounded Indiana 51-43 but had 23 turnovers.
"It was a long bus ride home (from Indianapolis)," Helton said. "But our kids didn't quit. And for them to come in today and lay it all on the line, they get all the credit."
Story By: Jody Demling, Courier-Journal