Lady Tigers Roll Past Lady Hawks

Bentonville limited Pea Ridge to just two field goals over the final three quarters Friday night and remained undefeated with a 58-24 victory over the Lady Blackhawks in girls nonconference basketball in Pea Ridge.

The Lady Tigers (9-0) turned up the defense after Pea Ridge hit a trio of 3-pointers — two by Casi Caton — and took an 11-10 lead to end the first quarter. The Lady ’Hawks, who hit four of nine shots through the opening eight minutes, hit only 2 of 23 from the floor in the remaining three quarters.

It was only the second time this season that Bentonville trailed after one quarter.

“Pea Ridge did some things that we had a tough time responding to,” Bentonville coach Tom Halbmaier said. “After the first quarter, the girls started settling down and relaxing, and they started figuring them out.

“We had to fight through some adversity, but I liked how the girls responded. I was pleased with how we finished. We were very aggressive shooting, and that’s something we’ll have to be from now on.”

Bentonville then went on a 12-3 run and claimed a 22-14 halftime lead, then extended their cushion to 35-17 by holding the Lady ’Hawks without a field goal in the entire third quarter.

Senior guard Taylor Lee led the Lady Tigers with 17 points and nine rebounds and was the only player in double figures as 12 different Bentonville players scored at least one point. Caton and Jerika Schooley each had six points for Pea Ridge.

Bentonville returns to action Wednesday in the Neosho (Mo.) Holiday Classic. The Lady Tigers will play Missouri schools East Newton, MacDonald County and Pierce City in three straight days of pool play at Neosho Middle School before playing a fourth game Dec. 29.

BENTONVILLE 58, PEA RIDGE 24

Bentonville 10 12 13 23 — 58

Pea Ridge 11 3 3 7 — 24

Bentonville (9-0): Lee 17, Deb. Adkins 8, Mabeus 7, Casey 5, Martin 4, Taylor 4, Laird 3, Dea. Adkins 3, Garrard 2, Secrest 2, Potts 2, Byford 1.

Pea Ridge: Schooley 6, Caton 6, Cochran 5, Tuszunki 3, Sanders 2, Cypert 1, Winn 1.

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