The Harlan Lady Dragons broke out of their recent offensive slump, hitting 12 3-pointers on Tuesday in an 86-77 loss at Knox Central.

Sophomore guard Presley Partin poured in 27 points and freshman guard Caylan Mills added 23 as Knox Central improved to 2-2.

Harlan (0-5) was led by senior guard Payeton Charles with 21 points and junior forward Natalee King with 20.

Mills scored nine points in the opening period as Knox took a 20-17 lead. King had two baskets for Harlan.

Charles had four baskets in the second quarter, including a 3-pointer, as Harlan took a 41-39 lead into the break. Ella Karst added seven points in the period.

Knox outscored Harlan 24-12 in the third quarter to go up by 10, at 63-53. Mills scored eight points in the quarter and Emily Davis added seven.

King hit three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as Harlan outscored the Lady Panthers 24-23.

Harlan will play host to Harlan County on Friday in a girls/boys doubleheader.

———

Reagan Jones scored 12 points and Angel Wynn added 10 as Harlan (1-2) won 38-32 in junior varsity action.

Emma Owens tossed in six for the Lady Dragons. Makayla Sizemore added four, followed by Aymani Wynn with three, Faith Hoskins with two and Peighton Jones with one.

Timberly Frederick scored 11 and Zoey Liford added 10 for Knox Central.

———

Knox Central 86, Harlan 77

HARLAN (0-5)

Paletón Charles 9 0-0 21, Ella Karst 1 4-5 7, Savanna Smith 3 1-2 9, Natalee King 8 1-2 20, Alli Thompson 3 3-4 9, Madison Cole 2 0-0 6, Reagan Jones 1 0-0 3, Peighton Jones 0 2-4 2, Emma Owens 0 0-0 0, Angel Wynn 0 0-0 0. Totals: 27 11-17 77.

KNOX CENTRAL (2-2)

Caylan Mills 10 3-7 23, Zoey Liford 2 0-0 4, Presley Partin 8 7-10 27, Emily Davis 6 7-10 19, Ryleigh Swafford 3 2-3 8, Emily Mills 1 0-0 2, Katie Broughton 1 1-2 3. Totals: 31 20-32 86.

Harlan 17 24 12 24 — 77

Knox Central 20 19 24 23 — 86

3-point goals: Harlan 12 (Charles 3, King 3, Smith 2, Cole 2, Karst 1, R. Jones 1), Knox Central 4 (Partin 4).