The Clinton County Bulldogs finished its season Friday night at WKU’s Diddle Arena in the first round of the 4th Region Tournament against Bowling Green, 58-47.

In a game where the outcome didn’t depict the flow of the game, it was actually much closer than the final score indicated.

One good bounce here, one more rebound, one more three point shot made, and the Bulldogs are playing in the second round of the tournament.

However, the good bounce never came for the Dawgs and Clinton County ended it’s season with an 18-12 record.

Bowling Green started off knocking down a three pointer in the first 15 seconds of the game to take an early lead.

Keifer Dalton made a jumper at the 7:28 mark to cut the lead to one. Bowling Green hit the front end of a one and one to put the Purples up by two, but another basket by Dalton tied the score at four all with 6:35 remaining in the period.

Bowling Green then put together an 8-1 run that lasted until the 1:29 mark to give the Purples a 14-5 lead. Dalton knocked down a jumper, followed by a basket by Ethan Smith to finish the first quarter trailing by five, 14-9.

During the second quarter, Clinton County’s nerves seemed to settle down a bit and the flow of the game seemed to pickup somewhat from the first quarter.

Two free throws by Dalton cut the lead to three points, 14-11, but a 5-0 run by the Purples put Bowling Green up by eight points with 6:49 on the clock, 19-11.

Clinton County then scored seven straight to cut the lead to one point, but back-to-back baskets, including a three pointer by Bowling Green, extended its lead to six points with 2:39 remaining before halftime, 24-18.

The remainder of the half saw both teams scoring with the Purples leading the charge, 6-5 in the final two minutes for a 31-23 lead at the half.

The Bulldogs worked hard in the third period to try and chip away at the small lead aquired by the Purples in the first half.

Clinton County cut the lead to four points a couple of times, but Bowling Green always had an answer.

With 2:14 on the clock, Clinton County trailed by seven points, 40-33, and finished the quarter with a 3-0 run, to get to within four points after the third period, 40-36.

The Dawgs worked hard in the early stages of the fourth period and had Bowling Green on the ropes. During the first four minutes, Clinton County outscored the Purples 9-7 to cut the lead to two points, 47-45.

The score remained 47-45 for the next minute until Bowling Green hit a layup to extend the lead to four points, 49-45.

A missed jumper by Dalton, followed by a foul on Chance McWhorter put Bowling Green at the line where two of two were made for a six point lead, 51-45 with 2:18 remaining.

Clinton County was forced to foul again at the 1:43 mark, with Bowling Green hitting two of two for a 53-45 lead.

A layup by Bowling Green extended the lead to 10 points at the 1:25 mark, but two free throws by Dalton cut the lead to eight, 55-47.

Those free throws would be the final points Clinton County would put on the board as Bowling Green added three more for a 58-47 final and a chance to move to the second round of the 4th Region Tournament.

Seven seniors will part from this year’s team, as Dalton, Lance Claywell, Cole Nelson, Ethan Smith, Glen England, Chance McWhorter and Chase Anderson played their final game Friday night.

Those seniors put together an incredible season and will be missed next season.

For the game, Clinton County hit 19 of 45, including two of 10 from the three point line for 42.2 percent.

From the foul line, Clinton County hit seven of 17 for 41.2 percent.

Bowling Green won the rebounding battle, 38-30, but Clinton County only committed nine turnovers compared to Bowling Green’s 10.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Dalton 21

Claywell 12

Smith 10

McWhorter 4

Senior Lance Claywell put up a shot during the first round of the 4th Region Tournament against Bowling Green Friday night. The Dawgs lost the contest, 58-47. Claywell finished with 12 points.

Senior Keifer Dalton drove the lane in the first half against Bowling Green in the first round of the 4th Region Tournament Friday night. Clinton County lost the game and finish with an 18-12 record on the year. Dalton finished his career at Clinton County with 21 points on the night.