JESSIEVILLE -- Victories haven't come as easily for Episcopal Collegiate as they have in the past three seasons, but the Wildcats typically find a way to turn things up a notch come postseason.
Episcopal did that Wednesday night in the opening round of the Class 3A boys state tournament.
The two-time defending state champions withstood a furious second-half charge from Smackover (22-7) and got a clutch effort from senior guard Allie Freeman late to beat the Buckaroos 66-58 at Jessieville High School.
"Any win this time of year is a good win," Episcopal Coach Micah Marsh said. "I thought we had good energy, good effort and that's what you want. That's a good team over there, and they scared us to death with their physicality.
"But we made some plays, especially Allie. He had a few and-ones late that were crucial for us."
Freeman finished with a team-high 26 points to lead Episcopal (19-11), which moves on to play Osceola at 2:30 p.m. Friday. Kelvin Robinson had 15 points and 13 rebounds while Kamron Brasfield finished with 15 for the Wildcats who got 10 more points from Harris Bethel.
The Wildcats, who shot 18 of 47 (38 percent) for the game, had to overcome 28 points from Smackover guard Charles Manning, who battled foul trouble all game. Keiandre Purifoy finished with 13 points, but the Buckaroos came up short despite digging out of a 14-point hole in the third quarter.
Manning, the Buckaroos' leading scorer, picked up his second foul with 2:27 left in the first quarter with Smackover leading 7-6. The Buckaroos went 0 of 7 from the floor with him on the bench and struggled to find additional offense.
Episcopal, though, had little trouble finding points. Bethel scored all 10 of his points in the first half, with his three-pointer at the second-quarter buzzer giving the Wildcats a 34-20 lead at halftime.
Manning wouldn't let Smackover go quietly.
The Buckaroos scored 16 of first 19 points in the third quarter, with Manning scoring 10, to pull to within 37-36. Freeman scored the game's next six points, including a four-point play, before Purifoy's jumper at the horn made it 43-38 heading into the fourth.
Smackover got as close to 55-52 late in the quarter, but a 9-0 run essentially put the game away for the Wildcats.
"Survive and advance," Marsh said. "That's what it's all about."
CENTERPOINT 57, JESSIEVILLE 54
Centerpoint hit all 16 of its free throws, including eight in the fourth quarter, to beat the host team and win its first state tournament game. Keenan Owens scored 14 points and David Banda had 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Knights (23-3), who will play the winner of today’s game between Marshall and Paris at 8:30 p.m. Friday. Tanner Brunt added 10 points for Centerpoint, which shot 50 percent (18 of 36) for the game.
Steven Benson had 20 points and nine rebounds for Jessieville (23-7), which finished 21 of 51 from the field and outrebounded Centerpoint 28-23. Hunter Daley also finished with 20 points for the Lions.
HARDING ACADEMY 54,
PRESCOTT 34
Harding Academy held Prescott to just three field goals over the second and third quarters to cruise into the second round.
Alex Francis scored 19 points and Brady Palmer had 17 for the Wildcats (21-9), who outscored the Curley Wolves 12-2 in the second quarter and 17-6 in third to blow the game open.
Brandon Walker scored 14 points to lead Prescott (13-10).
Sports on 03/03/2016