North Little Rock rebounded from its second loss in the 7A-Central Conference by going to its sophomore star guard Friday night.
Moses Moody scored 22 points to lead North Little Rock to a 68-51 victory over Fort Smith Southside at Charging Wildcat Arena.
FS SOUTHSIDE (51)
Moore 8 0-0 20, Gatewood 4 4-6 12, Coleman 3 0-0 7, Hamilton 0 0-0 0, Smith 0 0-0 0, Brewer 1 0-0 2, Jackson 2 0-0 6, York 2 0-1 4. Totals 20 4-7 51
NORTH LITTLE ROCK (68)
Fresh 3 1-2 8, Thrower 2 2-2 8, Simes 4 1-1 9, Fudge 3 2-2 8, Moody 7 7-9 22, Washington 2 0-0 4, Jordan 2 1-2 5, Agee 0 2-2 2, Watkins 1 0-0 2. Totals 24 16-20 68
FS Southside (12-12);9 21 12 9 — 51
North Little Rock (20-5);21 21 15 11 — 68
Team fouls — Fort Smith Southside 19, North Little Rock 12. Three-point goals — Fort Smith Southside 7 (Moore 4, Jackson 2, Coleman 1), North Little Rock 4 (Thrower 2, Fresh 1, Moody 1).
The Charging Wildcats (20-5, 8-2 7A-Central) lost 68-60 at Conway on Tuesday night, but at home Friday they never trailed the Mavericks (12-12, 4-6) and shot 24 of 43 from the floor.
Moody, who also had 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 5 blocked shots Friday, scored 13 of his 22 points in the first half as the Charging Wildcats took a 42-30 lead at halftime.
"He's becoming a complete player," North Little Rock Coach Johnny Rice said of Moody, a Little Rock Parkview transfer. "He's scoring from the three-point line. He's getting to the free-throw line. He's getting in there and finishing. He's going to be good. He knows he has some things he's got to get better at, but he's becoming a complete player, which will make us good down the road."
The Charging Wildcats had a 21-9 lead after one quarter, but the Mavericks pulled within 23-17 with junior guard Jordyn Jackson's three-pointer. North Little Rock extended its lead to 30-19 on Moody's basket and had a 36-24 advantage with less than four minutes remaining in the half.
Senior guard Justin Thrower hit a three-pointer as time expired to give the Charging Wildcats a 12-point lead at the half.
"He makes shots," Rice said. "He makes us better. He's probably the best three-point shooter we've got."
North Little Rock led 57-42 at the end of the third quarter. The Charging Wildcats finished 16 of 20 at the free-throw line Friday.
"We were 8 of 20 from the line last Friday [against Little Rock Central in a 62-60 victory]," Rice said. "16 of 20 is a lot better."
Senior guard Ike Moore led Southside, which shot 20 of 47 overall, with 20 points. Junior guard Taye Gatewood added 12 points.
FS SOUTHSIDE (51)
Moore 8 0-0 20, Gatewood 4 4-6 12, Coleman 3 0-0 7, Hamilton 0 0-0 0, Smith 0 0-0 0, Brewer 1 0-0 2, Jackson 2 0-0 6, York 2 0-1 4. Totals 20 4-7 51
NORTH LITTLE ROCK (68)
Fresh 3 1-2 8, Thrower 2 2-2 8, Simes 4 1-1 9, Fudge 3 2-2 8, Moody 7 7-9 22, Washington 2 0-0 4, Jordan 2 1-2 5, Agee 0 2-2 2, Watkins 1 0-0 2. Totals 24 16-20 68
FS Southside (12-12) 9 21 12 9 -- 51
North Little Rock (20-5) 21 21 15 11 -- 68
Three-point goals -- Fort Smith Southside 7 (Moore 4, Jackson 2, Coleman 1), North Little Rock 4 (Thrower 2, Fresh 1, Moody 1). Team fouls -- Fort Smith Southside 19, North Little Rock 12.
Sports on 02/10/2018