By Rob Patrick
When you’re playing a team that’s not only undefeated but has won every conference game (except one) by more than 20 points, you find your victories where you can.
The first time the Bryant Lady Hornets freshman team played the unbeaten Conway White Lady Wampus Kittens, they found themselves trailing 18-2 by the end of the first quarter and 40-4 at the half with 20 turnovers.
So, in the rematch, when the Lady Hornets were within 15-6 after a quarter and had just 12 turnovers in the first half, it was, in its own way, a small victory and an indication of how far the team has come.
Conway White won the first game 53-12 and wound up winning this time 46-13 but still had some starters in early in the fourth quarter.
Kianna Speight led the way with 18 points. Do-it-all guard Jordan Danberry, who could probably be a key player for the Conway High School team, finished with 10 points in the victory.
No one for Bryant had more than Taylor Lindberg’s 4 points. Nikki Clay added 3.
Conway White ran out to a 9-0 lead to start the game before Mallory Curry broke the ice for the Lady Hornets. It was 13-2 when Conway subbed in a new five.
In their first meeting, the second five for the Lady Kittens did nearly as much damage as the first group. This time, however, the Lady Hornets stayed with them. Kierra Solinger hit a short jumper off a feed from Sadie Powers and, after a Conway miss, Solinger picked up an assist on a bucket by Jayla Anderson to make it 13-6 with :31 left in the first quarter.
But that was the last field goal of the first half for Bryant. The Conway starters returned and went on an 11-1 run the rest of the half.
It was 29-7 in the third quarter when Clay was fouled on a three-point try. She went to the line and converted two shots then, on the miss off the final attempt, Lindberg grabbed the offensive rebound and scored to trim the margin to 29-11.
Conway responded with another run and held a 40-13 lead going in the fourth quarter.
The Lady Hornets return to action on Thursday at Cabot South then host North Little Rock on Monday.
