Panthers' victory over Wampus Cats a boost to confidence

SILOAM SPRINGS -- Siloam Springs' one-point win against Conway on Friday won't do anything to help its postseason prospects.

But it'll do wonders for the Panthers confidence moving forward.

Girls

Conway 70, Siloam Springs 37

Conway^18^19^18^15^—^70

Siloam Springs^13^7^10^7^—^37

Conway (14-5, 4-1): Tolefree 14, Rogers 13, Lowe 12, Danberry 11, Willard 7, Norment 6, Pack 6, Estes 1.

Siloam Springs (11-7, 1-4): Pippin 11, Owens 9, Cameron 8, Gay 3, Hoelscher 2, Stewart 2, Torres 2.

Boys

Siloam Springs 43, Conway 42

Conway^6^15^6^15^—^42

Siloam Springs^13^11^8^11^—^43

Conway (12-5, 3-2): Nekonchuk 18, Smith 7, Mullins 5, Ellis 5, Longing 3, Johnson 2, Canada 2.

Siloam Springs (11-7, 3-2): Lambert 21, Snavely 14, Pierce 4, Loveless 2, Sorrells 2.

Siloam Springs had one last defensive stand on Conway's final offensive possession as Conway senior Javonte Ellis tripped driving to the basket and lost control of the ball but no foul was called.

The Panthers corralled the loose ball as time expired, sending Siloam Springs to a 43-42 win at Panther Activity Center.

"We've always told our kids the aggressors usually get some beneficial calls," said Siloam Springs coach Tim Stewart. "Tonight for the majority of the game, our kids came out fighting and hustling. It's fun as a coach to see them improve. We haven't done that all year. Tonight, as far as aggressiveness, we really got after it."

The Panthers (11-7, 3-2) led by as many as 14 in the first half fueled by four 3-pointers from senior Roman Lambert. The Panthers also drew four charges in the second quarter.

Conway (12-5, 3-2) pulled within 24-21 at halftime and trailed 32-27 going into the fourth quarter.

The Wampus Cats took a 37-36 lead with 2:55 left when Ellis canned a trey on the wing, but Lambert got the lead back for the Panthers with his fifth 3-pointer for a 39-37 lead.

With the game tied at 39, Lambert's driving layup with 35 seconds left gave the Panthers a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Kyle Snavely hit two free throws to go up 43-39, but Conway's Prentice Mullins banked in a 3-pointer with 8.8 seconds left to cut it to 43-42.

Luke Loveless missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 8.1 seconds left and the Wampus Cats moved the ball ahead to Ellis just before he tripped driving in the paint.

Conway coach Will Johnson did not comment on the non-foul call on the trip, instead deferring credit to Siloam Springs.

"They played a tough game," Johnson said of Siloam Springs. "It was a great win for them."

Conway 6-foot-7 post John Nekonchuk led the Wampus Cats with 18 points. Lambert scored 21 for Siloam Springs while Snavely added 14, including 10 in the second half.

Girls

Conway 70, Siloam Springs 37

Conway played without injured star guard Kianna Speight on Friday against Siloam Springs, but the defending 7A state champion Lady Wampus Cats did just fine without her.

Four Lady Wampus Cats scored in double figures and Conway handed Siloam Springs its fourth straight 7A/6A-Central Conference loss.

Alexis Tolefree led Conway (14-5, 4-1) with 14 points, while Christin Rogers scored 13, Savannah Lowe 12 and Arkansas-signee Jordan Danberry added 11 points.

Speight, who had a torn ACL and missed all of last season, tweaked the same knee and will miss about a week, Conway coach Ashley Nance.

Siloam Springs (11-7, 1-4) led 13-11 in the first quarter when Conway went on a 15-2 run to go up by double digits in the first half. The Lady Cats led 37-20 at halftime and extended that margin to 55-30 going into the fourth quarter.

Mayse Pippin led Siloam Springs with 11 points, while Bailee Owens scored nine and Baily Cameron eight.

Graham Thomas can be reached by email at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAGraham

Sports on 01/24/2015

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