POTTSVILLE — Pea Ridge’s boys wanted a shootout Wednesday night, and Subiaco Academy obliged for the first three quarters.
The Blackhawks’ pace finally took its toll on the younger Trojans over the final eight minutes, and Pea Ridge pulled away for a 72-53 victory in the first round of the Class 4A North Regional Tournament in George S. Jones Gymnasium.
Kasey Cooper scored 10 of his game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Blackhawks (23-8), who outscored Subiaco 22-8 in the fourth quarter to blow the game open. Pea Ridge ran off 13 straight points over the final 3 minutes, 34 seconds before Subiaco’s Hasten Freeman hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
“We didn’t do anything differently in the fourth quarter,” Pea Ridge coach Charley Clark said. “We just kept grinding away and made a nice run at the end.
“The final score didn’t indicate how close this game was. It was a hard-fought game.”
The Blackhawks never trailed after Cameron Thompson’s two free throws forced the 10th lead change and put them ahead 26-25 with 3:55 left in the fi rst half. Pea Ridge, however, never had more than a seven-point lead through the first three periods against a younger Subiaco team.
“We wanted the fast pace,” Clark said. “We wanted to go up and down the court. I thought the more possessions we had, the better chance wehad of winning.”
Subiaco never had an answer for Pea Ridge’s balanced attack, either.
Thompson aided Cooper’s cause with 17 points, while Dakota Woodward added 12 for the Blackhawks, who advance to Friday’s 5:30 p.m. game against the winner oftonight’s Mena-Farmington game and earn a berth in the Class 4A State Tournament next week in Heber Springs.
“We didn’t do a good job of containing their off ense,” Subiaco coach Tim Tencleve said. “They’re quick with all fi ve players.
“Pea Ridge just wore usdown, and we lost patience on offense. We needed a game with fewer possessions, and I think we would have been right there if it was a slower pace.”
Branton Sims led Subiaco (10-14) with 16 points, while Freeman and Kyle Thielemier added 12 points apiece.
Sports, Pages 10 on 02/24/2011