WEST MEMPHIS — Dayshawn Watkins and Kevaughn Allen combined for 39 points to lead North Little Rock’s boys to a 61-44 victory over West Memphis on Tuesday night.
Watkins led all scorers with 23 points and Allen added 16.
Watkins’ four three-pointers led a solid perimeter game for the Charging Wildcats (21-1, 9-0 7A/6A-East). North Little Rock made 6 of 12 three-pointers and hit 19 of 28 free throws, compared to a 7-of-10 effort by West Memphis (11-11, 4-5) from the free throw line.
“Kevaughn and Dayshawn are our two most consistent scorers, and we leaned on them tonight,” North Little Rock Coach Johnny Rice said. “We hit some big baskets in the fourth quarter when it was still fairly close.”
The Charging Wildcats had trouble putting away West Memphis. A free throw by Kelvin Mooney with 4:34 to play brought West Memphis to within 46-37.
North Little Rock responded with a three-point play by Terrance Francis. Then two free throws from Gary Vines and a layup from Allen put the game on ice, making it 55-41 with 1:27 to play.
North Little Rock led 37-22 at halftime, but managed only one field goal in the third quarter, letting the Blue Devils back in the game. The Charging Wildcats were out-rebounded 19-18, but they committed only seven turnovers.
Francis finished with 10 points for North Little Rock.
West Memphis was led by 12 points from junior Divontia Hyland. Mooney added nine.
Sports, Pages 21 on 02/06/2013