Thomas More University loses to Westmont in national championship game

Thomas More University lost to Westmont College 72-61 in the national championship game of the NAIA Women's Basketball Tournament Tuesday night.

Briana McNutt had three points, two assists, one rebound and one steal in the final game of her college career.

What a college career McNutt had. Thomas More University won the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2019. The Saints finished this season with a 29-2 record and are the national runners-up. McNutt ranked 21st in three-point field goal percentage in NAIA. She was named to the Mid-South Conference Second Team, the Mid-South All-Academic Team and won the Champions of Character Award.

Thomas More University beats Morningside 65-62 to advance to National Championship game

The top-ranked and top-seeded Thomas More University Saints defeated Morningside 65-62 in a semifinal game of the NAIA Women's Basketball Tournament Monday night in Sioux City. Iowa. 

Briana McNutt, a senior from Maysville, scored seven of her nine points in the second half. She also had three rebounds, two steals, one assist and one block. 

Thomas More will play second-seeded Westmont College in the National Championship game tonight. 

McNutt and the Saints advance to NAIA national semifinals

Former Mason County Lady Royal Briana McNutt had 10 points, eight rebounds, one steal and blocked a shot to help the top-ranked Thomas More Saints defeat No. 14 Dakota State 72-47 in the NAIA Women's Basketball Championship quarterfinals Saturday in Sioux City, Iowa.

Thomas More will play seventh-ranked Morningside College in the national semifinals Monday night.

McNutt and Reed named Mid-South Conference Women's Basketball Second Team

Former Mason County Royals Briana McNutt and Alexis Reed were named to the Mid-South Conference Women's Basketball Team Second Team.

McNutt, a senior guard at Thomas More University, is averaging 10.5 points per game is shooting 43.6% from the field and 40.8% from 3-point range.

Reed, a junior guard at University of Pikeville, is averaging 12.6 points points a game and leads the team in 3-point percentage at 44%.

Briana McNutt named to MSC All-Academic Team and wins Champions of Character Award

Thomas More University senior basketball player Briana McNutt of Maysville was named to the Mid-South Conference All-Academic Team and won the Champions of Character Award.

To qualify for the All-Academic team a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.25.

Champion of Character Award winners are nominated by their coaches based on their leadership on campus and in the community while demonstrating the five core character values of the NAIA.

McNutt leads the Saints in rebounds per game (5.6) and is 40th in the NAIA 3-point field goal percentage (40.8%).

Briana McNutt is the Mid-South Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week

For the second time this season, former Mason County Lady Royal Briana McNutt is the Mid-South Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week.

McNutt, a senior guard at Thomas More University, averaged 16.3 points and 6.3 rebounds a game in the Saints' three victories last week. She had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in Thomas More's 100-42 win over Bethel on Saturday.

Briana McNutt is the Mid-South Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week

Thomas More University senior guard Briana McNutt of Maysville is the Mid-South Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week.

McNutt scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Saints to a 64-61 victory over Marian University. McNutt also had an assist and a steal. 

Local sports notes:

Here are a few local sports notes:

• St. Patrick senior Olivia Poczatek signed Thursday to continue her academic and soccer career at Georgetown College.

• Mason County senior Spencer Magee signed last week to continue his academic and golf career at Thomas More University.

• Former Mason County Lady Royal Briana McNutt was one of four Thomas More University women's basketball players who were named Academic All Mid-South Conference.

• The KTCCA Indoor Track and Field State Championships take place Saturday at the Carmeuse/Mason County Indoor Athletic Complex. The Class A meet begins at 9 a.m. The Class AA and Class AAA meets are scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Admission is $8.

Local sports notes

Here are a few local sports notes including two that I meant to post last week:

• Former Mason County Lady Royals Briana McNutt scored a career-high 23 points last night to lead the Thomas More Saints to a 75-68 victory over Life. McNutt was 8-of-11 from the field.

• The draws for the girls' and boys' 10th Region tournaments will be held tomorrow morning. The girls' tournament begins Monday night at Campbell County Middle School. The boys' tournament begins Wednesday night at George Rodger Clark Arena.

• Tickets for the girls' and boys' state tournaments can be purchased via Ticketmaster. There is a link on KHSAA.org

• Former Mason County Darren Williams pitched a scoreless inning in relief in Eastern Kentucky's 2-0 win over LSU last week. Williams faced five batters. He walked one, struck out one and gave up two hits.

• Mason County center Alex Schalch is the 2020 Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches 10th Region Runner-up Player of the Year and is eligible to tryout for the Kentucky All-Star Team.

• Mason County Indoor Track and Field Meet #4 takes place tomorrow at the Carmeuse/Mason County Schools Indoor Athletic Complex.

Briana McNutt and Thomas More University are national champions

Mason County graduate Briana McNutt and her Thomas More University teammates are national champions. 

McNutt scored 11 points as the top-ranked Saints defeated No. 3 Bowdoin College 81-67 in the NCAA Division III championship game Saturday night in Salem, Virginia.

The Saints completed a 33-0 season. It's Thomas More University's second national championship in four years.

McNutt, a sophomore guard, scored nine of her 11 points in the second half.

Briana McNutt signs with Thomas More College

Briana McNutt, a member of the Mason County Lady Royals' 1,000 point club, thought her playing days were over as she planned to attend the University of Kentucky, but a visit to Thomas More College changed her mind.

McNutt signed today to play basketball for the Saints. She plans to study nursing.

"I went on a tour at Thomas More because the coach text me, and I just really like it a lot," McNutt said. "I was surprised at how much I liked it, so I thought I should give it a try and see where it takes me."

Another Mason County senior, Maddie Boone, signed with Thomas More in March. McNutt said that wasn't a major factor in her decision, but she said Boone "being there is also a great thing" because they've been friends since preschool, and they are going to room together.

McNutt had 1,043 points, 692 rebounds and 195 assists in her career.

She led the Lady Royals in field goal percentage, free throw percentage and rebounds this past season.

McNutt was named Second Team All-Region and was named to the 10th Region Tournament and Carolina Invitational Tournament all-tournament teams.

"She is a fantastic person," Mason County coach Brad Cox said. "Thomas More is getting another steal in my opinion."

Lady Royals lose to Clark County 56-53 in OT in region final

The Mason County Lady Royals suffered a heartbreaking 56-53 overtime loss in to the Clark County Lady Cardinals in the championship game of the 10th Region Tournament Saturday night at Harrison County.

Briana McNutt's potential game-winning layup just before the fourth quarter buzzer was waved off by by an official who called McNutt for traveling 

Clark County led by 10 points at halftime and took its biggest lead at 39-26 with 6:16 left in the third quarter.

Mason County closed the gap to five points at 43-38 at the end of the third quarter.

A.J. Reed hit two free throws to tie the score at 48-48 with 3:31 left.

Jordan Frodge made a reverse a layup to give the Lady Royals their first and only lead at 50-48 with 2:19 to play.

Clark County guard Kennedy Igo hit two free throws to tie the game with 1:33 left.

After the traveling call, one second was put back on the clock. Clark County, inbounded the ball, but did not attempt a shot.

Igo opened the overtime period with a three-pointer.

Whitney O'Mara made one of two free throws with 2:42 to play.

A basket in the low post from Malena Bell gave the Lady Cardinals a 55-51 lead two minutes left.

O'Mara hit a jumper off the dribble with 1:35 to go.

Shemaya Behanan pushed the lead back out to three by making one of two free throws with 18 seconds left.

Mason County missed three shots in the lane in the closing seconds.

Clark County will play 13th Region champion Harlan in the first round of the St. Elizabeth Healthcare/KHSAA Girls Sweet Sixteen Basketball Tournament Wednesday at 8 p.m. at BB&T Arena at Northern Kentucky University.

Igo scored a game-high 22 points.

Behanan added 13 points.

Frodge led Mason County in scoring with 15 points.

O'Mara followed with 13 points and Reed tossed in 11 points.

CC (29-4) J. Flowers 8, Igo 22, Bell 8, Behanan 13, T. Flowers 3, Hardiman 5

MC (23-9) O'Mara 13, Reed 11, McNutt 8, Frodge 15, Boone 6

CC  13 22 08 07 06- 56

MC 09 16 13 12 03- 53

Lady Royals beat Campbell Co. 51-47, face Clark Co. in championship game

After trailing for most of the first three quarters, the Mason County Lady Royals used a 20-4 run to defeat the Campbell County Lady Camels 51-47 in the 10th Region Tournament semifinals tonight at Harrison County.

Mason County will play Clark County in the championship game Saturday night at 7 o'clock.

Campbell County led 10-4 at the end of the first quarter, 24-22 at the half and 33-29 with 2:12 remaining in the third quarter.

Whitney O'Mara started the 20-4 run with a putback. A.J. Reed hit a three-pointer and Briana McNutt had an old fashioned three-point play to give the Lady Royals a 37-33 lead with 12 seconds left in the third quarter.

Alexis Keeton hit a shot for Campbell County with six-tenths of a second left in the third quarter.

Jordan Frodge opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer.

After Keeton scored again, the Lady Royals reeled off nine straight points on a basket by Frodge, a floater by O'Mara, a Frodge three-pointer and basket by McNutt to lead 49-37 with 3:49 to play.

Makenzie Schwarber scored five straight points for Campbell County to cut the Lady Royals' lead to seven.

Reed scored Mason County's final basket with 2:13 to play.

Taylor Clos scored to cut the lead back down to seven with 1:58 remaining.

Chloe Seckman banked in a three-pointer for the final basket of the game with eight seconds left.

Mason County committed a turnover, but the Lady Camels passed the ball around before missing a 30-footer at the buzzer.

The Lady Royals shot 60 percent from the field in the second half and 51.3 percent for the game.

Mason County outrebounded Campbell County 34-25.

O'Mara led Mason County in scoring with 16 points.

McNutt added 11 points.

Clos led Campbell County with 17 points.

Schwarber tossed in 12 points.

Clark County defeated Nicholas County 71-41 in the upper bracket semifinal.

The Lady Cardinals outscored the Lady Jackets 21-6 in the second quarter.

Mason County beat Clark County 54-51 in Winchester on January 25.

MC (23-8) O'Mara 16, Reed 5, Moran 6, McNutt 11, Frodge 8, Boone 5

CC (20-13) Clos 17, Schwarber 12, Keeton 6, Seckman 3, Holbrook 9

MC 04 18 15 14- 51

CC  10 14 11 12- 47

Lady Royals advance to region semifinals with a 72-26 rout of Harrison County

The Mason County Lady Royals advanced to the semifinals of the 10th Region Tournament by cruising past the overmatched Harrison County Fillies 72-26 tonight at Harrison County.

The Fillies hit two three-pointers and led 6-2, but the Lady Royals reeled off 11 straight points.

After Harrison County ended an almost five-minute scoring drought with a basket in the final minute of the first quarter, Mason County went on a 19-0 run to lead 32-8.

The Lady Royals only had two turnovers and shot 46 percent from the field. 

Briana McNutt scored a game-high 14 points.

Whitney O'Mara added 12 points.

Mason County will play the Campbell County Lady Camels in the semifinals Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Campbell County edged upset-minded Bourbon County 48-46.

MC (22-8) McNutt 14, O'Mara 12, Boone 8, Frodge 8, Simms 8, Reed 6, Littleton 4, White 3, Butler 1

HC (13-20) Kellione 12, Eckler 6, Allison 5, Hatterick 2, Roberts 1

MC 15 21 19 17- 72
HC  08 04 10 04- 26


(Updated to correct the time for Friday's game)

Lady Royals rout Augusta 89-17 in district semifinal

The Mason County Lady Royals jumped out to a 15-0 lead before the Augusta Lady Panthers got off their first shot and cruised to an 89-17 victory in the upper bracket semifinal game of the 39th District Tournament.

Mason County led 29-6 at the end of the first quarter and then scored 51 straight points. The Lady Royals outscored Augusta 31-0 in the second quarter and scored the first 20 points of the third quarter.

Briana McNutt scored her 1,000th career in the first quarter.

Jordan Frodge scored nine straight points including her 1,000th career point in the second quarter. 

Frodge was 9-of-11 from the field and scored a game-high 20 points.

Erika Simms was 6-of-6 from the field and scored 14 points.

Kara Moran added 10 points.

The Lady Royals shot 67.3 percent from the field including 84.6 percent (11-of-13) in the second half.

Mason County advances to the championship game Thursday night to play the winner of Tuesday night's game between St. Patrick and Bracken County,

MC (20-8) Brooks 3, Highfield 2, O'Mara 5, Reed 8, Moran 10, McNutt 8, Butler 3, May 6, Frodge 20, Simms 14, White 3, Schumacher 3, Boone 4

A (9-18) Browning 3, Garrett 5, Kelsch 3, Shields 6

MC 29 31 20 09- 89

A     06 00 03 08-17

Lady Royals end regular season with a 58-50 loss to Franklin County

The Mason County Lady Royals closed out the regular season with a 58-50 loss to the Franklin County Lady Flyers tonight in Frankfort.

Mason County led 19-16 at the end of the first quarter but only scored eight points in each of the next two quarters.

Franklin County is 25-5 and has won 10 straight games.

11th Region Player of the Year and Xavier University signee Princess Stewart scored a game-high 18 points for the Lady Flyers.

Briana McNutt led the Lady Royals in scoring with 13 points.

Whitney O'Mara added 10 points.

Mason County plays Augusta Monday night in the semifinals of the 39th District Tournament at the Fieldhouse.

FC (25-5) Stewart 18, Cook 17, Courtney 11, Talley 10, Morton 2

MC (19-8) McNutt 13, O'Mara 10 Littleton 8, Frodge 7, Reed 5, Moran 4, Boone 3

FC  16 14 13 15- 58

MC 19 08 08 15- 50

Cold shooting Lady Royals lose to Simon Kenton 71-55

The Mason County Lady Royals shot just 33.3 percent from the field (27,6 percent in the second half) in a 71-55 loss to the Simon Kenton Lady Pioneers today in Independence.

Simon Kenton shot 52.2 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range.

The Lady Pioneers outrebounded the Lady Royals 39-27.

Jordan Frodge led Mason County in scoring with 13 points. Briana McNutt followed with 12 points and Maddie Boone added 11 points.

The Lady Royals host the Bourbon County Lady Colonels Wednesday night on Senior Night.

SK (21-5) Meier 17, Niece 17, Harmeyer 14, Harney 11, Jones 7, Dressman 2, Buckner 2, Gilliam 1

MC (18-7) Frodge 13, McNutt 12, Boone 11, O'Mara 9, Reed 7, Moran 3

SK  20 21 11 19- 71

MC 13 17 06 19- 55

Lady Royals fall to Scott Co. 78-70

The Mason County Lady Royals suffered their first home loss of the season tonight, falling to the Scott County Lady Cardinals 78-70 at the Fieldhouse.

The Lady Cardinals shot 51.7 percent from the field in the first half and led 39-25 at halftime. 

Mason County senior Whitney O'Mara scored a game-high 24 points.

Three other Lady Royals scored in double figures: Briana McNutt with 12 points, Jordan Frodge 11 and A.J. Reed 10.

Mason County plays Simon Kenton in Independence Saturday afternoon.

SC (16-9) DeFoor 14, Ward 3, Owens 23, Holt 3, Riddle 17, Boehm 12

MC (18-6) O'Mara 24, Reed 10, Littleton 2, McNutt 12, Butler 2, Frodge 11, Boone 9

SC  16  23 20 19-78

MC 11 14  24 21-70

Lady Royals overcome shooting woes in 43-35 win over Nicholas County

The Mason County Lady Royals overcame of a cold shooting first half  beat the Nicholas County Lady Jackets 43-35 tonight in Carlisle.

Nicholas County led 10-4 at the end of the first quarter and 18-16 at halftime despite taking only 10 shots in the first half.

Mason County was 6-of-26 (23.1) percent from the field in the first half. 

The Lady Royals shot 47.6 percent from the field in the second half and outscored he Lady Jackets 13-7 in the third quarter and 14-10 in the fourth quarter.

Whitney O'Mara and Briana McNutt both scored 13 points.

Mason County hosts Scott County on February 10th.

MC (17-5) O'Mara 13, Reed 2, Littleton 7, McNutt 13, Butler 2, Frodge 4, Boone 2

NC (15-9) Sowell 4, Allison 6, Martin 10, Kiskaden 6, Hughes 9

MC 04 12 13 14- 43

NC 10 08 07 10- 35

Lady Royals cruise past Lady Vikings 81-41

Mason County shot 60 percent from the field and four Lady Royals scored in double figures in an 81-41 win over the Rowan County Lady Vikings Tuesday night in the Lady Royals Gym.

Jordan Frodge scored a game-high 15 points.

Briana McNutt tossed in 14 points.

Maddie Boone scored 12 points including her 1,000th career point.

Kara Moran also scored 12 points.

Mason County plays Nicholas County Friday night in Carlisle.

MC (17-5) Brooks 6, O'Mara 2, Reed 7, Littleton 2, Moran 12, McNutt 14, Butler 7, Frodge 15, Simms 2, Schumacher 2, Boone 12
RC (9-14) Rogers 5, K. Rose 6, Ricer 6, H. Rose 3, Blevins 4, Cross 12, Purdy 2, Grimshaw 2, Fielding 1

MC 19 26 26 10- 81
RC  11 13 05 12- 41