7A/6A-CENTRAL GIRLS

Alma finishes job this time

ALMA -- It has been a frustrating year for Alma in its first season in Class 6A, but the Airedalettes took a season's worth of frustration out on Siloam Springs in a 64-59 victory Wednesday at Airedale Arena.

"We played really, really good at Bryant [last Friday] and came up just short," Alma Coach Madelyn Flenor said. "It's been a new experience in the new conference, but the kids have never quit."

The loss was a costly one for the Lady Panthers (14-11, 4-8). A victory would have given Siloam Springs the 6A-Central's second seed, but that spot goes to Russellville and the Lady Panthers fall to the three seed. Siloam Springs will host the Class 6A state tournament next week.

Alma built a 10-point lead late in the first half, only to see Siloam Springs take the lead once in the third quarter and again with five minutes left in the game. Instead of wilting, Alma responded with an 11-5 run to finish the game.

"There have been a lot of games where we started with a lot of fight and we didn't finish the game like we would want," Flenor said. "Tonight, though, I was proud of the way we fought the entire game."

Cierra Rainwater led Alma with 18 points. Hailey Ostrander added 16 and Bailey Jones had 12.

Siloam Springs' Baily Cameron had a game-high 21 points to go along with 12 rebounds. Mayse Pippin scored 14 for the Lady Panthers, while Bailee Owens added 14.

Alma was the aggressor in the first half and it showed on the scoreboard as the Airedalettes led 29-21 at half. Alma forced 12 turnovers in the half and made 6 three-pointers while getting the line 13 times, making 9.

Siloam Springs opened the second half with a 19-9 run to take its first lead since 7-7 at 40-39 with 2:10 left in the third quarter on a free throw by Cameron. Alma finished the period with Sydney Dunbar's three-pointer and a driving layup by Abbye Ostrander to give the Airedalettes the lead again at 48-44.

Cameron made two free throws to give the Lady Panthers another lead at 54-53 with 5:14 left, but Alma answered with six quick points to take the lead for good at 59-55 with 3:55 left.

SILOAM SPRINGS (59)

Jones 0 0-1 0, Cox 0 1-2 1, Owens 3 6-8 14, Pippin 6 4-5 16, Stewart 0 1-2 1, Hoelscher 1 0-0 2, Cameron 7 7-11 21, Torres 1 0-0 2, Gay 1 0-0 2. Totals 19 19-29 59.

ALMA (64)

Tobler 0 0-0 , Jones 5 0-0 12, H. Ostrander 5 7-12 16, Wright 7 7-10 9, Rainwater 6 4-7 18, Dyer 0 0-1 0, Fagan 0 1-2 1, A. Ostrander 2 0-0 4, Willhite 0 0-0 0, Dunbar 2 0-0 4. Totals 20 19-32 64.

Siloam Springs (14-11, 4-8); 13 8 23 15 --59

Alma (11-15, 3-10); 16 13 19 16 -- 64

Three-point goals -- Siloam Springs 2 (Owens 2), Alma 5 (Jones 2, Rainwater 2, Ostrander). Total fouls -- Siloam Springs 22, Alma 19.

BOYS

ALMA 74, SILOAM SPRINGS 57

The Airedales (21-4, 10-3 7A/6A-Central) wrapped up the 6A-Central’s top seed with a convincing victory over the Panthers.

Austin Lee and Jake Folkerts each scored a game-high 22 points to pace Alma. Tyler Newton scored 10 points to lead Siloam Springs.

Sports on 02/26/2015

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