FAYETTEVILLE — Much of Fridays second-round game at the Lady Bulldog Classic didnt go as planned for Fayetteville, including the final result.
But for the final 1 minute, 10 seconds, the Lady PurpleDogs showed more fight and determination than perhaps the rest of regular season combined.
Unfortunately for Fayetteville, the furious rally in the closing minute wasnt enough as Little Rock Central held on for a 49-46 win in Bulldog Arena.
We told them after the game if they got that desperate and wanted to win that bad all the time like they did in that last minute, we would have a different record right now and wed be talking about a different team, Fayetteville girls basketball coach Vic Rimmer said. We know its in there. Its just our job as coaches to get it out of them.
The Lady Bulldogs (2-5) hit three early 3-pointers to take a 13-7 lead after one quarter, then held onto a 25-22 edge before halftime as Jalen Prude and Destiny White led the way with six points apiece before intermission.
Fayettevilles problems began in the third quarter when Central (4-3) turned up the defense, leading to a cold spell for the LadyDogs.
We didnt play very well in the first half, Lady Tigers coach Michael Green said. But like I told our kids we just needed to settle down and eventually we would get things turned around.
Central scored the final seven points of the third quarter to take a 36-32 lead, then extended the margin to 46-38 with just 1:25 to play. At that point, Fayetteville went from the brink of defeat to determined not to quit.
Eight of the next nine points went to the Lady Bulldogs, as Aubrey Edies 3-pointer with 24.1 seconds trimmed the Central lead to 47-46.
Fayetteville then forced a turnover on the next possession and had three field-goal attempts at the lead, but all three missed before the Lady Tigers were able to step to the free-throw line and preserve the win.
If we would have one that game, it would have been a miracle, Rimmer said. On one hand, Im excited to see that we have that fight. On another hand, Im discouraged that it didnt come out until the very end.
Little Rock Central plays the Mountain Home-Jenks, Okla., winner in the tournament championship game at 5:30 p.m. today. Fayetteville plays in the third place game at 4 p.m.
Lady Bulldog Classic
Little Rock Central 49, Fayetteville 46
Central 7 15 14 13 49
Fayetteville 13 12 7 14 46
Central (4-3): Ready 10, Ruffins 10, Washington 10, Lewis 8, Ruffins 4, Williams 4, Hines 2, Cashaw 1.
Fayetteville (2-5): White 9, Austin 8, Prude 8, Matlock 7, Howard 4, Schuldt 4, Brewer 3, Edie 3.
Prairie Grove 52
Springfield (Mo.) Hillcrest 35
Prairie Grove built a 13-point lead in the first quarter and got a double-double from Justyne Huber in a 52-35 win against Springfield Hillcrest on Friday.
The Lady Tigers took control early, shooting 16 of 19 from the free-throw line in the first half while dominating Hillcrest on the boards.
Huber finished with 13 points and 16 rebounds, and Whitnee Fitts added 12 points for Lady Tigers.
Collierville, Tenn., 41
West Fork 38
The Lady Tigers had a shot to tie the game at the end of regulation, but fell short against Collierville to drop to 0-2 at the Lady Bulldog Classic.
Sydney Franklin continued to be the driving force behind the West Fork attack, scoring 28 of her teams 38 points.
Jessica Brown led Collierville with 21 points.
Schedule & Results
Lady Bulldog Classic
When: Today
Where: Bulldog Arena, Fayetteville
Thursday Results:
Game 1: Little Rock Central 49, Prairie Grove 34
Game 2: Mountain Home 50, West Fork 34
Game 3: Fayetteville 52, Springfield (Mo,) Hillcrest 49
Game 4: Jenks, Okla. def. Collierville, Tenn.
Fridays Results
Game 5: Prairie Grove 52, Springfield Hillcrest 35
Game 6: Collierville 41, West Fork 38
Game 7: Little Rock Central 49, Fayetteville 46
Game 8: Mountain Home vs. Jenks, (n)
Todays Schedule:
Game 9: Springfield Hillcrest vs. West Fork, 1 p.m.
Game 10: Prairie Grove vs. Collierville, 2:30 p.m.
Game 11: Fayetteville vs. Jenks-Mountain Home loser, 4 p.m.
Game 12: LR Central vs. Jenks-Mountain Home winner, 5:30 p.m.