VAN BUREN — Despite a long road trip and a slow start, the streak continues into the postseason for the Lady Charging Wildcats.
North Little Rock (27-0) pushed its winning streak to 58 games Friday night, beating Van Buren 58-45 at Clair Bates Athletic Arena.
The Lady Pointers (12-16) started out the game in a 3-2 zone that slowed the Lady Charging Wildcats during the first period as Van Buren took an early 7-6 lead.
“It’s a tough game to play because there is nothing on the line and you make the bigtrip,” North Little Rock Coach Daryl Fimple said. “I thought Van Buren’s kids played really well.”
The lackluster start was noticeable to Van Buren Coach Merrill Mankin, and it gave the Lady Pointers an early boost mentally.
“I thought they didn’t play sharp,” Mankin said. “But I think our kids played extremely well and battled. It helped us get some confidence because usually they get on us so quick.”
But North Little Rock bounced back offensively with a 18-point second quarter and then used a 15-5 run after halftime to take a 40-24 lead.
“Pressure usually gets to teams in the third quarter,” Fimple said. “We got someeasy baskets, got into transition and made some free throws. We just kind of got going there.”
Junior forward Lexus Williams, who led North Little Rock with 13 points, helped fuel the run that put away Van Buren.
VAN BUREN (45) Arnold 3 3-5 11, Cambell 0 1-2 1, Beckner 2 2-2 6, Blake 3 3-9 9, Brown 6 0-0 15, Patterson 1 0-0 3. Totals 15 9-18 45.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK (58) Giles 3 3-5 9, Taylor 0 2-2 2, King 2 1-2 5, Brown 2 0-0 5, Patterson 0 1-2 1, Hale 3 5-7 11, James 3 -2-2 10, Williams 6 1-3 13, Brooks 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 15-23 58.
North Little Rock ...........6 8 18 26 - 58 Van Buren ...................7 12 7 19 - 45 Three-point goals - North Little Rock 2 (James 1, Brown 1); Van Buren 5 (Brown 3, Patterson 1, Arnold 1). Team fouls - North Little Rock 13, Van Buren 12.
BOYS
VAN BUREN 66, NORTH LITTLE ROCK 60 (OT)
North Little Rock had its chance, butit couldn’t take advantage of it and Van Buren made it pay in overtime.
After trailing by 10 points at halftime, the Pointers slowly cut into North Little Rock’s lead and tied the game at 55 with 1:33 left to play. The Charging Wildcats had a shot at the basket for the victory in regulation, but the three-point attempt was short.
The Pointers started the overtime with a three-pointer from Drew White that started a 7-3 run for the 7A-6A conference champions, and the Pointers held on from there.
Hooper Vint led the Pointers with 21 points, while Chris Cambell had 13 for North Little Rock.
VAN BUREN (66) Vint 8 5-7 21, White 4 3-6 12, Spoon 1 0-0 3, Snapp 2 2-2 6, Goodwin 4 1-3 11, Patterson 3 5-6 13. Totals 19 10-12 60.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK (60) Green 2 0-0 5, Laston 2 0-0 4, Vinas 3 0-0 7, Ware 3 0-0 6, Hollister 4 0-0 9, Campbell 2 7-9 13, Coleman 1 2-2 4. Totals 16 16-24 66.
North Little Rock .....17 20 15 3 5 - 60 Van Buren .............10 17 16 12 11 - 66 Three-point goals - North Little Rock 4 (Green 1, Vinas 1, Holister 1, Cambell 1 ); Van Buren 6 (Patterson 2, Goodwin 2, Spoon 1, White 1). Team fouls - North Little Rock 19, Van Buren 10.
Sports, Pages 19 on 02/26/2011