Second-half run lifts Bethel girls past Benton

Photos by Kevin Nagle

BENTON — With three minutes left in the third quarter, the Bryant Blue Lady Hornets eighth grade team of Bethel Middle School found themselves trailing the Benton Lady Panthers 19-10. The Lady Hornets hadn’t led since it was 2-0.

Stephanie Cullen fires a shot over a Benton defender. (Photo by Kevin Nagle)

But, on consecutive trips up the floor, Raija Todd drilled 3-pointers, cutting the margin to 3. A steal by Daniele Singleton led to a layup for Todd and it was 19-18 going into the fourth quarter.

Singleton made another theft and fed Todd who scored once again to complete a 10-0 run for her and the Lady Hornets, who found themselves ahead 20-19.

Another Benton turnover led to a basket by Singleton, increasing the margin. And when Raelae Benton swiped the ball and Singleton cashed that in, it completed Bryant’s 14-0 run.

The Lady Hornets went on to forge a 28-21 come-from-behind victory at Panther Arena.

Todd finished with 16 points, Singleton 6, Benton 4 and Cadie Anderson 2. Baylee Rowton hauled down 15 rebounds for the Lady Hornets.

Trailing 24-19, the Lady Panthers managed their lone fourth-quarter basket with 3:12 to go but Todd made a couple of steals leading to a basket by Raelae Benton and a layup for Todd herself to cap off the win.

The win improved the Lady Hornets to 2-0 on the season going into the Thanksgiving break. They’re scheduled to return to action at the Wildcat Shootout at Little Rock Episcopal Collegiate on Monday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m., against Lighthouse Charter School.

The game against Benton was tied 4-4 late in the first quarter when Benton took the lead. It was 10-6 at the end of the first quarter then the teams traded baskets until the final two minutes of the half when Benton hit back-to-back baskets to make it 16-8.

Todd opened the scoring in the third quarter with a drive to the hoop but a 3-point for Benton produced the 19-10 lead that disappeared by the end of the period.