CAVE CITY — The Brookland Lady Bearcats started slow in Wednesday’s opening-round contest at the Class 4A girls state tournament, but pulled away in the second half to defeat the Bauxite Lady Miners 45-40.
The Lady Miners led 9-8 at the end of the first quarter, but the Lady Bearcats fought back and led 17-16 at the half.
Brookland (25-7) picked up the pace, building a 12-point lead at the end of the third quarter.
Cali Milligan led the Lady Bearcats with 17 points, and Jordan Maynard chipped in 15, including two three-pointers. Kayla Kee added nine points for Brookland.
Bauxite (22-9) made a push in the fourth quarter, outscoring Brookland 20-13, but ran out of time as the Lady Bearcats spread the floor, forcing the Lady Miners to foul.
Amy Etheridge and Makayla Blanchett led Bauxite with eight points apiece, while Mary Crow and Morgan Case added six each.
The Lady Bearcats advanced to play Prairie Grove (27-4) at 4 p.m. Thursday.
CAC 60, MAUMELLE 55
Sydnie Jones scored a game-high 27 points as Central Arkansas Christian advanced with a victory over Maumelle.
Falan Miller added 19 points for CAC, which will face Valley View at 7 p.m. today.
Kamry Orr led Maumelle with 17 points.
HEBER SPRINGS 41, POTTSVILLE 39
Pottsville missed a shot to tie it with three seconds remaining as Heber Springs advanced to the second round of the tournament.
Makenzie Martin scored a gamehigh 16 points to lead Heber Springs (27-4).
Courtney Dotson and Ashley Brannon led Pottsville (14-14) with 10 points each.
Sports, Pages 21 on 02/28/2013