Mackenzie King came through when it counted most, scoring 16 of her team’s 22 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, as Harlan pulled away for a 55-46 win Saturday over visiting Letcher Central.

King, a senior forward, finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds for the 3-2 Lady Dragons, who have won three straight. Senior guard Noah Canady added 11 points.

Letcher Central was led by junior center Emma Maggard with 12 points.

“I thought we gave a great effort on defense and did a good job taking care of the basketball,” said Harlan coach Tiffany Hamm as the Lady Dragons turned the ball over nine times while forcing 26 turnovers by Letcher Central. The Lady Dragons scored 22 points off turnovers.

Both teams struggled offensive early, playing to a 9-9 tie after one quarter. Led by two 3-pointers from Canady and four points from King, Harlan took a 19-15 lead into the break.

Brooklyn Collins hit two 3-pointers in the third quarter as Letcher Central cut the deficit to 33-31 going into the final period. Collins had six points and Maggard added four to lead Letcher in the fourth quarter as the Lady Cougars pulled even.

Harlan returns to action Tuesday at North Laurel. Letcher Central plays host to Johnson Central on Monday.

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Letcher Central won 50-30 in junior varsity action. Kaylee Banks scored 16 points and Courtney Hayes added 12 to lead the Lady Cougars.

Kaylee Leslie scored eight points to lead the Lady Dragons and was followed by Alli Thompson with seven, Angel Wynn with five, Makayla Sizemore with four, Peighton Jones with three, Raegan Jones with two and Ella Morton with one.

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LETCHER CENTRAL (3-3)

Camryn Parks 1 2-2 4, Brooklyn Collins 4 3-4 14, Brooke Bates 3 3-10 9, Kenzie Craft 0 0-0 0, Emma Maggard 5 2-6 12, Jessica Boggs 0 0-2 0, Alyssa Frankin 1 4-4 6, Loren Boggs 0 1-2 1. Totals: 14 15-30 46.

HARLAN (3-2)

Payeton Charles 1 0-2 3, Noah Canady 4 1-2 11, Natalee King 2 0-0 5, Mackenzie King 8 9-11 26, Brandi Haywood 0 1-2 1, Taylor Simpson 1 4-6 7, Katelyn Burkhart 1 0-0 2, Whitney Wilson 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 15-23 55.

Letcher Central 9 6 16 12 3 — 46

Harlan 9 10 14 10 12 — 55

3-point goals: Letcher Central 3 (Collins 3), Harlan 6 (Canady 2, Charles 1, N. King 1, M. King 1, Simpson 1).