The contest was a back-and-forth battle through the first two quarters, with the Lady Tigers (9-8) bolting out to a 9-2 lead and the Lady Mountain Lions responding with an 11-2 surge to take a 13-11 advantage after the first quarter.

Elkins then took a 22-19 cushion on layups by Celia Ricottilli and Gracelin Corley late in the first half.

Ricottilli finished with a team-high 13 points.

With Colebank, who also had seven assists and six blocked shots, forced to the bench with her third foul with 5 minutes left to play in the quarter, Raven Matthews gave Tucker County a boost by scoring three straight points to treat the Lady Mountain Lions to a 23-22 halftime lead.

Celia Ricottilli makes a pass against Tucker County on Tuesday night. The senior led the Lady Tigers with 13 points in a 59-49 loss.

Tucker County’s run continued in the third quarter as it built a 32-24 edge with 5:30 left in the frame and carried a 41-32 lead into the final quarter.

An inside basket and two free throws from Colebank put the Mountain Lions up by 13, at 55-42, with 3:19 remaining.

Maddie Belan chipped in 10 points for the Lady Tigers, who visit Pendleton County this evening. Corley just missed double figures with nine.

Ericka Zirk added 13 in the win.

“This was a good road win for us against a very good team,” said Tucker County coach Dave Helmick, whose team is now 12-2 and entertains sectional foe East Hardy on Thursday.

Tucker County (12-2)

Raven Matthews 2 1-2 5, Avery Colebank 1 0-0 2, Brylee Whetzel 1 2-4 5, Katie Hicks 1 0-0 2, Macy Helmick 2 2-2 7, Ericka Zirk 6 1-1 13, Addie Hicks 1 6-8 8, Kadie Colebank 7 3-3 17. Totals 21 15-21 59

Elkins (9-8)

Gracelin Corley 4 1-2 9, Addy Cogar 3 0-0 6, Hannah Davis 1 0-0 2, Maddie Belan 4 2-6 10, Jaylen Tacy 1 0-0 3, Autumn Lane 2 2-2 6, Celia Ricottilli 6 0-0 13. Totals 21 5-10 49

Tucker County 13 10 18 18 — 59

Elkins 11 11 10 17 — 49

3-point goals: Tucker County 2 (Whetzel and Helmick), Elkins High School 2 (Tacy and Ricottilli)