ROGERS -- A new look Rogers High lineup couldn't keep up with Ozark, Mo., Friday night.
Ozark placed four players in double figures as the Lady Tigers defeated Rogers High, 53-47, at the First National Bank of Northwest Arkansas Great 8 Classic in King Arena.
2014 First National Bank of NWA Great 8 Basketball Classic
Ozark, Mo. 53, Rogers High 47
Ozark^13^12^16^12^ —^53
Rogers^9^14^9^15^ —^47
Ozark (1-1): Smith 12, Taylor 11, Putt 11, Sater 11, Bach 3, Johnson 3, Barb 2.
Rogers (2-2): King 13, Brown 7, Randels 7, Richmond 6, McKinney 5, Sandor 5, Wisdom 4.
Rogers coach Preston Early started a lineup which included four sophomores and two new starters and the Lady Mounties cut a 10-point deficit with just over three minutes left in the game to four. But Ozark's Kaylan Smith hit two free throws with 19 seconds left to put the game away.
Senior Callie King led Rogers with 13 points while sophomore Elise Randels and junior Samantha Brown added seven points each. Five Rogers sophomores combined for 27 of its 47 points a day after the Lady Mounties lost 49-29 to Webb City, Mo.
"We are never going to be pleased with that type of outcome because our objective is to win," said Rogers coach Preston Early. "But we are so proud of the way we competed, and our whole demeanor was different. We told them if you do things right, winning happens. We put ourselves into a position to win. We are that much closer."
Ozark (1-1) hit six 3-pointers and converted two three-point plays as they held off a late Rogers charge. Smith led Ozark with 12 points while Makensi Taylor, Kendra Sater and Mikayla Putt scored 11 points each for the Lady Tigers.
"We hit some baskets when we took care of the basketball and were in a position to score," said Ozark coach David Brewer. "We hit some free throws late, and we did just enough to win.".
Rogers appeared to be on the ropes early in the second period when Bre Johnson hit a 3-pointer to give the Lady Tigers a 18-9 lead.
But King started a 14-4 Rogers run with a 3-pointer as the Lady Mounties took a 23-22 lead with under a minute to play in the first half. Rogers made 7-of-9 free throws during the run.
Ozark stopped the run and took a 25-23 lead at halftime on a 3-pointer by Sater just before the halftime buzzer.
"We could have easily folded right there," Early said.
Ozark hit three 3-pointers and converted a three-point play in the third period for a 41-32 lead. But Rogers used a 9-1 run to get to within four before Ozark put the game away at the free throw line.
Rogers (2-3) will face Beebe today at noon in the seventh-place game.
Sports on 12/06/2014