The Little Rock Central Lady Tigers came alive in overtime to earn a 58-49 victory over Fayetteville on Saturday night in the Turkey Crossover Classic.
Alexsis Brown scored four of her seven points in the extra period. She also grabbed a key rebound and handed out an assist in the overtime to give the unbeaten Lady Tigers the lift they needed.
"Alexis Brown is a senior and she's playing like a senior," Central Coach Michael Green said. "That's why she's in the game."
Central (6-0) held as much as an eight-point lead and led for the game's first 29:58 before Fayetteville's Pink Jones hit a shot from inside the lane to give the Lady Bulldogs a 46-45 advantage.
A free throw by junior guard Ashley Breathitt, who led Fayetteville with 10 points and eight rebounds, pushed the Lady Bulldogs' lead to 47-45. Central's Kiara Williams hit two free throws with 36 seconds left in regulation to tie the game. Fayetteville had two shots to win it but missed both.
Central dominated the final four minutes, hitting all three of its field-goal attempts and five of its six free-throw attempts. Fayetteville (1-1) was 1 of 7 from the floor in the extra period. Three of the Lady Bulldogs' shots were swatted away by 6-1 junior forward Kennedi Allen, who finished the game with five blocked shots.
"We did exactly what we wanted to do [in the overtime]," Fayetteville Coach Victor Rimmer said. "But [Allen] did a good job of blocking and contesting our shots."
"That is her strong suit," Green said.
Brown started the overtime by connecting on her lone field goal. After Jones tied the game at 49 with a 12-footer, Central scored the game's final nine points.
Williams, Central's 6-0 senior power forward who signed with the University of Arkansas earlier this month, did not score until midway through the third quarter. She finished with 12 points and nine rebounds. She had four of her points in the extra time.
"Kiara knows she's going to be the focal point of other teams' defense," Green said. "She knows she has to wear them down and led others do some scoring."
Senior Alaysia Ready provided the bulk of Central's offense Saturday. The 5-5 senior point guard finished with 19 points. She also grabbed 8 rebounds, made 3 steals and was 11 of 14 from the free-throw line.
Fayetteville had eight players score, including eight each by Jones and junior guard Lauren Holmes.
Fayetteville missed it final six shot attempts.
"We were excited to get to the rim and we put up some shots too soon," Rimmer said. "We had two possessions in a row where we didn't make very good decisions, but Central played well and deserves the credit."
SPRINDALE HAR-BER 54,
BROOKLAND 17
Junior guard Jacie Higgins led the Lady Wildcats (4-0) with 17 points in a thumping of the Lady Bearcats.
Sophomore Khanni Shannon added 11 for Har-Ber, which led 27-7 at the half.
Senior Bailey Lovrien led Brookland with 10 points.
PARAGOULD 48,
PINE BLUFF 26
Sydnie Walker led the Lady Rams (1-1) with 15 points in a victory over the Fillies.
Paragould scored 22 of the game's first 24 points. The Lady Rams led 14-2 after one quarter, 27-7 at the half and 38-12 after three quarters.
Zoey Beasley added 10 for Paragould. Kierria Brice led Pine Bluff with six points.
EARLE 54, WARREN 41
Junior P. Perkins scored 19 points to lead the Lady Bulldogs (3-3) to a victory over the Lady Jacks.
Earle led 11-6 after one quarter, 25-19 at the half and 43-30 after three quarters.
Senior Shamiqua Pickett scored 25 points for Warren (0-1).
Sports on 11/29/2015