Davis powers Springdale past Van Buren

The top scorer in the 7A-West Conference finished with one point less than the opposing team Friday. It was that kind of night for Marquesha Davis, who scored 23 points to lead Springdale High to a 24-23 victory over Van Buren at the Bulldogs gym. Davis started fast with eight points in the first quarter and she had 14 of Springdale's 18 points at halftime. She opened the second half with a 3-pointer and followed with a three-point play minutes later to put Springdale ahead 24-16. Van Buren got to within 27-22 before Davis made a basket while falling down to delight the home crowd and leave Van Buren coach Chris Bryant shaking his head. Davis' point total included three 3-pointers and 2 of 3 made free throws. Springdale (13-4, 4-0) remained undefeated in league play while handing Van Buren (11-5, 3-1) its first league loss. "I was very proud of Marquesha and very proud of our team," Springdale coach Heather Hunsucker said. "We moved the ball and took some quality shots." Jeniya Gause made two baskets in the first quarter to aid Davis, who began the night averaging 28.7 points in conference play. Davis added a big block while piling up points to for the Lady Bulldogs, who led 27-18 after three quarters. Springdale played superb team defense and held senior guard Jamilyn Kinney to six points, which is 10 less than her average. Three players finished with six points and two had three points for Van Buren. Gause added eight for the Lady Bulldogs. "I like the way our team defended tonight and, really, defended without fouling," Hunsucker said. BOYS Springdale High 63, Van Buren 58 Sophomore Trentez Scales scored 23 points to lead Springdale (10-7, 1-3) to its first conference win. Jajuan Boyd added 16 points and Carl Fitch 14 for the Bulldogs, who led 26-21 at halftime and 41-35 after three quarters. Van Buren rallied to within 61-58 late but the Pointers could not surpass the Bulldogs. Scales opened the fourth quarter with two long 3-pointers during a 10-2 run by the Bulldogs. Jordan West finished with 27 points to lead Van Buren (10-7, 1-3). "We talked to (Scales) about him being a complete point guard," Springdale High coach Jeremy Price said. "He got people involved early in the game and that opened up things for him the second quarter and beyond." Springdale gained some cushion in the second quarter following consecutive 3-pointers by Boyd and Scales. Boyd hit from the right side and Scales from the left side to put the Bulldogs ahead 22-16. Van Buren got to within 28-27 in the third quarter before Springdale increased its lead again after a 3-pointer by Scales from the corner. Springdale High 63, Van Buren 58 Van Buren 8 13 14 23 --^58 Springdale 12 14 15 22 --^63 Van Buren (10-7, 1-3): West 27, Stewart 14, Kindrix 13, Z. West 3, Ball 1. Springdale (10-7, 1-3): Scales 23, Boyd 16, Fitch 14, Mason 8, Eckwood 2.

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DAVIS POWERS SPRINGDALE PAST VAN BUREN

RICK FIRES

Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette | 1/20/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Andy Shupe