Royals routed by shorthanded Owensboro Catholic Aces 67-31

The Mason County Royals came out flat and were routed 67-31 by an Owensboro Catholic team that was without its two best players today in the consolation bracket of the 63rd Ashland Invitational Tournament.

Owensboro Catholic, without Luke Hayden, the 3rd Region pre-season player of the year, and senior point guard Maxwell Reid,  jumped out to a 7-0 lead and was up 30-14 at halftime and 47-23 at the end of the third quarter.

After Mason County scored the first two points of the fourth quarter, Owensboro Catholic scored 16 straight points to put a running clock in effect with 3:07 left in the game.

Mason County shot 26 percent from the field including 1 of 16 on three-pointers, had 18 turnovers and was outrebounded 50-29.

"It's an absolute embarrassment," Coach Buddy Biggs said. "(I) apologize to our fans and our school and our community. We'll get back at it at 10 o'clock in the morning; we're going to practice and we'll come back down here and we'll play harder tomorrow at 2:30."

The Royals were led in scoring by Jayden Steward who scored 16 points.

Jaylen Lofton had six points and 10 rebounds.

Two starters- Leevi Dunaway and Dalton Perkins- were scoreless.

Mason County will play Breathitt County in the seventh place game Friday at 2:30 p.m.

OC (6-5) H. Riney 4, Survant 8, Cecil 1, Hartz 4, Ballard 11, A. Riney 4, Marshall 11, McFarland 12, Vincent 12

MC (7-5) Lofton 6, Boyd 2, Steward 16, Jackson 3, Frey 2, Muse 2

OC 17 13 17 20- 67

MC 08 06 09 08- 31