FORT SMITH — A week to the day after the Bryant Lady Hornets went to Texas High and came[more] home with a 73-69 win over the Texarkana Tigers, the two teams met again in the consolation round of the Coke Classic at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. And this time, the Tigers turned the tables with success early and late on the way to a 76-66 win.
The Hornets fell behind the hot-shooting Texas High team 22-11 by the end of the first quarter. The Tigers held a 35-27 lead at the half before Bryant began to whittle on the margin. The Hornets were within 49-47 by the end of the third quarter then managed a lead early in the fourth.
“Texas High played really well,” said Hornets coach Mike Abrahamson. “They shot the ball great and we struggled. We took a 2-point lead early in the fourth quarter but couldn’t hold on.”
K.J. Hill led the Hornets with 22 points. C.J. Rainey added 19 and Tyler Simmons 15.
“We just need practice,” Abrahamson said. “We aren’t playing tough and these things can only be worked out with practice time.”
Before the Hornets, now 9-3 on the season, return home, however, they’ll take on the Subiaco Academy Trojans today at 1 p.m., in a final Classic outing.
