7A/6A-CENTRAL BOYS

Cyclones handle a change of place

CONWAY - Russellville rolled with the changes Friday night.

A leaky roof at Bolding Arena caused Conway to move its game against the Cyclones across campus to the old Conway High gymnasium, where the Wampus Cats played until the 2007-2008 season, but the change in venue didn’t bother Russellville as it held on for a 55-53 victory in the 7A/6A-Central Conference opener for both teams.

The Cyclones led for almost the entire first three quarters before Conway pulled ahead in the fourth, but Russellville (7-5, 1-0) regained the lead and held on as the Wampus Cats missed two three-pointers in the final seconds.

”Any time you can win a game on the road in this conference, you’ll take it,” Russellville Coach Codey Mann said. “There were games early where we wanted to dictate tempo, because we like to play fast, but this was the fastest team we’ve played all year.”

Demarian Johnson gave Conway (8-3, 0-1) a 46-44 lead with a put back with 4:20 left to play. He added a free throw for a three-point lead, but Andy Campbell’s three-pointer tied the score at 47 with 3:23 left.

The Cyclones then made 5 of 6 free throws to take a 54-51 lead and looked to be in control when Conway committed a turnover with 40 seconds left. But the Wampus Cats came up with a steal and a layup by Javonte Ellis to pull within one.

Cody Underhill made 1 of 2 free throws to give Russellville a two-point lead. Johnson missed a three-pointer with five seconds remaining and Russellville corralled the rebound and called timeout, but the Cyclones committed a turnover on the inbounds play to give Conway one last shot.

Russellville forced Johnson to take the inbounds pass into the back court, and his running 23-footer was no good.

Russellville jumped out to an 11-3 lead. The Wampus Cats were able to speed up the game and scored six points in 47 seconds to make it 11-9. The Cyclones led 15-11 after one quarter and 26-20 at halftime. Conway finally pulled even when Sidney Moore hit a three-pointer at the end of the third quarter.

Campbell was the game’s top scorer with 17 points, while Marquis Rhode added 16 and Tony Jones nine for the Cyclones. Campbell and Jones each hit 3 three-pointers. Moore scored 15 to lead Conway, followed by Ellis with 14.

Sports, Pages 22 on 01/11/2014

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