FORT SMITH — The Bryant Lady Hornets rebounded better and cut down on their[more] turnovers. Unfortunately, they just didn’t shoot well Friday against the Ozark, Mo. Lady Tigers in the consolation round of the 2011 Tournament of Champions at Northside High School.
The Lady Hornets converted just 14 of 53 shots from the field — 26 percent including 1 of 13 from 3-point range — while connecting on just 7 of 16 free throws. Ozark took advantage for a 59-36 win.
The Lady Hornets, now 5-3, wrap up play in the tourney against 7A/6A-Central Conference rival Russellville today at 1 p.m.
Ozark started a front line that went 5-10, 5-11, 5-11 yet Bryant out-rebounded the Lady Tigers 36-34. After committing 21 turnovers in a first-round loss to Northside on Thursday, the Lady Hornets committed just 15 on Friday while forcing 12.
But Ozark got out fast, building a 13-2 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Lady Hornets played closer after that but the Lady Tigers gradually continued to build up the advantage. It was 26-12 at the half, 40-21 going into the fourth quarter.
Three players accounted for 35 of Bryant’s 36 points. Dezerea Duckworth led the team with 14 to go with seven boards. Kiara Moore added 11 points and Taneasha Rhode 10 to go with 11 rebounds. Logan Davis hit a free throw to account for the other point.
Meanwhile Ozark’s 5-11 forward Jackie Fugate hit 7 of 9 shots from the field for 14 points to go with seven rebounds and four blocked shots. Haylee Beard, a 5-9 guard, added 12 points while 5-10 forward Ivy Reynolds finished with 9 and 5-11 guard Hannah Cook 8.
