GLASGOW – It isn’t much of a stretch to imagine Monday night’s girls’ basketball matchup between Bowling Green and host Barren County as a potential Region 4 Tournament preview.

After all, the Lady Purples and the Trojanettes have been two of the top teams in the region all season long – not to mention, the two programs in fact did match up in the first round of the regional tournament last season at Western Kentucky University’s E.A. Diddle Arena.

Bowling Green won that matchup in last year’s opening round of the Region 4 Tournament, but it was the Trojanettes who came out on top 59-53 on Monday night.

“It was a big win for us,” Barren County coach Piper Lindsey said. “Up and down game, which was great for us. A lot of adversity that we had to face, which you couldn’t ask for a better game at this time of year. I thought we had some kids that really showed up.”

Barren County (22-4) trailed by a point heading into the fourth quarter. Bailey Pedigo’s drive to the goal for a basket put the Trojanettes back up to start the final period, but the Lady Purples’ T’Alla Brown connected on a pair of free throws and then scored a basket in the paint to push her team back out to a 42-39 lead with 6:17 to play.

Elizabeth Bertram answered with a game-tying 3-pointer and, less than a minute later, Mallory Pedigo scored on a goal in the paint to give Barren County the lead for good at 44-43.

Bertram, a junior guard, played a huge role in the Trojanettes’ decisive fourth, scoring nine of her 15 points in the final eight minutes.

“We needed that momentum and we all like pitched in to help,” Bertram said. “These games really prepare us for district and region and maybe even state. They’re a good team, and we pushed the ball and we executed, and that’s how you beat a team.”

Bowling Green (18-6), which lost for just the second time in its last 13 games, surged to an early 17-12 lead in the first quarter.

Behind Bailey Pedigo (co-game high 19 points), the Trojanettes answered with a 15-point outing in the second quarter. Bailey Pedigo capped the scoring with a 3-pointer and two made free throws over the final 1:10 of the first half to give her team a 29-27 lead.

That advantage swung back and forth in the third and fourth quarters before Barren County eventually wrested control by hitting the board for a couple key offensive rebounds and hitting free throws in the final minutes.

“I think this helps us know where we are and it helps us build confidence,” Bailey Pedigo said.

Brown finished with 19 points to lead the Lady Purples.

“They’ve got a tough district and we’ve got a tough district so hopefully both will take care of business and maybe we’ll see them again at Diddle,” BGHS coach Calvin Head said.

“I’m proud of our girls. I thought they fought hard. Some shots just didn’t fall our way, but I thought we did a real good job with what we were trying to do defensively.”

Bowling Green (18-6) are back in action Tuesday in another nondistrict road game at Muhlenberg County.

The Trojanettes, who have won seven of their last eight, visit Russell County on Tuesday for a nondistrict game.

Bowling Green 17 10 11 15 – 53

Barren County 14 15 8 22 – 59

BGHS — Brown 19, Ragland 8, Shelton 8, Jones 7, Tisdale 7, K. Gray 2, James 2.

BCHS — B. Pedigo 19, Bertram 15, Bush 8, M. Pedigo 7, Delk 6, England 4.

Boys

Bowling Green 73, Barren County 52

Visiting Bowling Green simply swamped the Trojans in the opening quarter, closing the frame on a 8-0 run to lead 19-6 after the first quarter of an eventual 73-52 victory.

Bowling Green (20-4) showed impressive balance, getting points from 10 different players in the victory.

Sophomore forward Jordan Dingle paced a particularly solid effort by Bowling Green’s front court. Dingle finished with a team-high 14 points.

“I thought our inside guys today were great,” Bowling Green coach Derrick Clubb said. “I thought they set the tone by scoring early. I thought Jordan Dingle was great … Ivan Drobocky and Jacobi Huddleston, Trace Flanary … all of those guys did a great job of scoring around the basket.”

The Purples put the game away in the second quarter, opening the period on an 11-3 run that pushed their lead to 30-9 capped by a Jaxon Banks 3-pointer with 4:49 left in the first half.

Will Bandy had 19 points to lead Barren County (12-13). Gavin Withrow added 11 points for the Trojans, who visit Russell County on Tuesday.

Isaiah Mason added 13 points for the Purples, who bounced back from last Friday’s 86-59 road loss to John Hardin.

“We’re comfortable with who we start and I think we’re comfortable with where we bring guys in and what we’re asking them to do,” Clubb said. “The guys really seem to be enjoying the way we’re playing and still trying to develop their role. Tonight we had a good chance to get some guys in and play some extended minutes that need to play.”

Bowling Green hosts Owensboro on Tuesday.

Bowling Green 19 18 18 18 – 73

Barren County 6 16 12 18 – 52

BGHS — Dingle 14, Mason 13, Cooper 9, Drobocky 9, Flanary 8, Huddleston 6, Banks 5, Buttry 4, Dennis 3, Gray 2.

BCHS — Bandy 19, Withrow 11, Bush 7, Nyekan 7, Griggs 4, Lane 2, Poynter 2.{&end}