CABOT -- A loss in its final regular-season game not only cost Little Rock Central the 7A/6A-East Conference championship, it also meant playing a first-round game in the Class 7A girls state tournament instead of securing a bye.
The Lady Tigers regrouped Wednesday and took care of Springdale Har-Ber 59-47 at Panther Arena.
Central (25-2), the No. 2 seed from the 7A/6A-East after losing 68-56 at North Little Rock on Friday, will play 7A-West Conference champion Fayetteville in a second-round game at 7 p.m. today.
"I was really pleased with the way they responded," Central Coach Michael Green said. "They played really hard. They played a solid ballgame. I'm proud of the way they played the whole game.
"We'll take this."
Kiara Williams, an Arkansas signee, and Bre'Amber Scott each scored 12 points for the Lady Tigers. Alaysia Perry added 10 points.
"I loved the balance," Green said. "That's the way we've been playing all year. When you have balanced scoring, teams can't focus on one person. If they focus on Kiara, then we have somebody else scoring. If they focus on that person, then we've got somebody else scoring. It makes it tougher for a team to defend us."
The Lady Tigers led 14-9 at the end of the first quarter, but took control in the second quarter. Jada Perry's three-pointer made it 19-9. Scott's three-pointer extended the Lady Tigers' lead to 32-13 with less than 2 1/2 minutes left in the first half.
Central led 37-18 at halftime.
Har-Ber Coach Sandy Wright said Central's athleticism was too much for the Lady Wildcats to handle.
"They're big, they're quick," Wright said. "They have a lot of tools. They have a lot of weapons. We're young and we start three sophomores. They've never been to the state tournament. They come in and believe they can do it, but I guess there's a little bit of fear in a young kid's eyes."
Central continued to roll in the third quarter, stretching its lead to 47-27 late in the quarter before entering the fourth quarter with a 49-30 advantage.
Williams and Kennady Tucker made consecutive baskets for a 53-32 lead early in the fourth quarter. Alexis Brown's basket made it 59-38 with less than two minutes remaining.
Har-Ber (16-13) was led by Krislyn Smith's 11 points. Jacie Higgins and Maci Mains each added eight points for the Lady Wildcats.
BRYANT 53, BENTONVILLE 48
Raija Todd scored 21 points in Bryant’s victory over Bentonville (20-7). Todd made 3 three-pointers for the Hornets (11-15). Emily Ridgell had 10 points for Bryant. Bentonville was led by Lauren Hargus with 18 points. Madison Brittain and Abby Roberts had nine points apiece.
Sports on 03/03/2016