Bryant’s sharp shooting, defense stop Southside

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

— Greyson Giles scored 16 points and Tyler Simmons had 11 to lead Bryant by Fort Smith Southside 56-38 Tuesday night.

Bryant methodically built an 18-point advantage late in the second half thanks in part to eight three-pointers and a fullcourt pressure defense that forced Fort Smith Southside into 22 turnovers.

“We just wanted to keep the pressure on them,” Bryant Coach Mike Abrahamson said. “I felt like we settled into our game and hung in there with the lead. We wanted to challenge their shots to slow them down.”

Southside didn’t score for the first four minutes of the third quarter. Simmons hit a three-pointer and Giles made a three-point play to put Bryant ahead 47-32.

Giles scored 11 first-half points on 3 three-pointers and two free throws. His three-pointer early in the second quarter put Bryant ahead 19-9.

Tyler Simmons and CJ Rainey hit three-pointers for Bryant, but Fort Smith Southside kept up with three-point baskets by Chris Moore and Andrew Hindman. Grant Higgins made a 27-footer at the buzzer to pull Fort Smith Southside to within five by halftime, 27-22.

Hindman led Fort Smith Southside with 13 points.

Sports, Pages 24 on 11/21/2012