MOREHEAD — It took Ashland a little while to get started in the first high regional basketball game in Wetherby Gym since 1976.

Scoreless for the first 41/2 minutes, the Kittens overcame a six-point deficit by scoring 13 in a row and went on to defeat West Carter 48-38 Monday night in the Girls 16th Region Tournament.

“We came out tight, no doubt,’’ said Kittens coach Bill Bradley. “It was the same thing last week against Boyd County in the (64th) district championship game.”

The Kittens won both by almost identical scores (47-35 over Boyd County) and defense again figured heavily in the equation Monday.

West Carter shot only 25 percent through the first three quarters and Ashland finished with eight steals to account for half of the Lady Comets’ turnovers.

“I thought our halfcourt defense was very good, especially in the first half,’’ Bradley said.

West Carter closed to within 19-15 midway through the third quarter, but Ashland’s defense fueled a 15-4 run over the remainder of the quarter.

Sophomore guard Chelsea Dietrich made two of her three steals during the stretch and her driving basket gave the Kittens a 34-19 lead after three quarters.

“Our defense contained really contained them there,’’ Bradley said. “Chelsea had a big steal and if we were not getting a layup, we got fouled.’’

West Carter couldn’t get its offense untracked until the fourth quarter, when 5-foot-11 Monica Stevens scored 12 of her game-high 21 points.

Overall, the Lady Comets shot 0-for-11 from 3-point range and converted just 4-of-12 free throws.

“When your 3-point shots are not falling, you have to change the game plan,’’ said West Carter coach Von Perry. “We shot ourselves in a hole in the second quarter.’’

Both teams hit only 33 percent field and especially had their shooting problems early as Ashland inched its way to a 15-8 advantage.

“Ashland was struggling for a while, too,’’ Perry said. “This was a different environment, but it doesn’t matter where you play. You have to put the ball in the hole.’’

Kittens senior forward Laisha Ward missed a couple of early layups but found her bearings and collected 15 points and 15 rebounds before fouling out in the final minute.

“I was real nervous at the start,’’ Ward said. “It took me a while to settle down and get use to the backboards. It’s different than a high school gym.’’

Ashland shot only 3-for-15 from the floor and 9-for-22 at the foul line, but had enough offense to defeat West Carter in the opening round for the second consecutive year.

“Defense brought us through,’’ said Ward, who also had four steals. “It feels great to get the win and keep going.’’

The Kittens improved to 23-4 and will meet Raceland in the semifinals Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Junior guard Ali Wilcox tossed in 14 points for Ashland.

“Wilcox is known for being a spot-up shooter, but she dribble-penetrated and hurt us a couple of times,’’ Perry said.

West Carter (10-17) came alive in the fourth quarter behind the strong inside play of Stevens, who also had 12 rebounds.

“I told Monica she either had to take it inside and score or I was going to take her out,’’ Perry said. “She went to war.’’

West Carter scored six consecutive points to trim Ashland’s lead to 34-25, but Ward and Wilcox scored back-to-back baskets and the Kittens maintained a double-digit margin the rest of the way.

Sydnie Cox, the Lady Comets’ lone senior, had nine points and 11 rebounds in her final game.

“I’m proud of Sydnie and proud of our team,’’ Perry said. “We didn’t have a winning record, but played a good schedule and that got us to the regional tournament.’’

The first round continues tonight. Morgan County plays Russell at 6:30, followed by Rowan County against Boyd County.

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.