Siloam Springs Downs Rogers Heritage

SILOAM SPRINGS -- Rogers Heritage has leaned on strong perimeter shooting to earn its first state tournament berth in school history, but Siloam Springs turned the tables on the War Eagles on Friday night.

The Panthers hit three consecutive 3-pointers to take control in the second half and go on to a 59-46 victory at Panther Activity Center.

Siloam Springs 59, Rogers Heritage 46

Heritage^14^11^12^9^ —^ 46

Siloam Springs^12^13^18^16^ —^59

Rogers Heritage (16-11, 6-8): C. Olsen 11, Kinnamon 9, Sams 7, Hirsh 5, Jensen 4, Prince 4, Christian 3, D. Olsen 3.

Siloam Springs (11-14, 5-9): Gray 20, Johnson 17, Benson 8, Goddard 6, Pierce 6, Lambert 2.

Junior Brandon Johnson, who scored 17 points, hit two of those huge 3-pointers, including the last one with 6 minutes, 33 seconds left in the fourth quarter for a 49-37 Panthers lead.

"That was a big momentum changer," Siloam Springs coach Tim Stewart said. "Brandon hit a big 3 and he hit some dagger shots down the stretch. Avery Benson also hit a big three."

Senior Dylan Gray also poured in a game-high 20 points for the Panthers (11-14, 5-9 7A/6A-West).

Stewart said his team, which was tied 25-25 at halftime, just made plays down the stretch -- something the Panthers have struggled with at times this season.

"It was in the balance there and we've had a handful of games where it was in the balance and we haven't taken the steps to win. Tonight we took those steps."

Siloam Springs will now head to the Class 6A state tournament as the No. 4 seed and will play at Jonesboro at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Heritage (16-11, 6-8) will now be the No. 6 seed in next week's 7A state tournament thanks to the loss and Fayetteville's win over Bentonville.

The War Eagles trailed by only six points entering the fourth quarter, but hit just 3-of-18 shots from the floor in the quarter.

Heritage coach Tom Olsen said his team was emotionally spent, after a qualifying for its first state tournament in school history a week ago and then edging crosstown rival Rogers High on Tuesday.

"It's been an emotional run the last three weeks," Olsen said. "I think Siloam Springs was a little more focused than we were. You know it was senior night. I'm not disappointed. We've had a great season. I thought Siloam Springs played a good game to beat us."

Crist Olsen was Heritage only player in double figures with 11.

Sports on 03/01/2014

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