Van Buren falls to Bentonville

VAN BUREN — Bentonville picked up its 20th win of the season to remain undefeated in the 6A West Friday night at Clair Bates Arena. The Lady Tigers scored 15 points off of six turnovers in the first half to go up 30-13 at the break. Bentonville didn’t keep up the same pressure in the second half and Van Buren was able to match the visiting team point for point. Jada Brown led the game with 13 points while teammate Bella Irlenborn had 11 points with nine rebounds. Bentonville dominated the boards 29-16 and pulled down nine offensive rebounds. The Lady Tigers won the previous meeting 58-31. After Brooklyn Kannady provided the first score of the game and Van Buren’s only lead, Bentonville had a 13-0 scoring spree and netted six points off of three turnovers. The Lady Tigers would extend their lead 24-9 with 4:50 remaining in the first half after a three-point shot by Heidi Baum. In the second half, Bentonville led 33-13 after a pair of free throws from Irlenborn, but Van Buren hit a trio of three pointers and clawed back into the game down by 14 (37-23) at the 1:32 mark. The Lady Pointers would go scoreless over the next 4:06 and Bentonville increased its lead 48-23 with an 11-0 run fueled by Brown and Irlenborn. Van Buren would outscore Bentonville 16-8 the duration of the contest. Bailee Woodard came off the bench and scored 12 points in the fourth quarter to lead Van Buren. Both Brooklyn Kannady and Lexi Miller finished with eight points each. The Lady Pointers travel to Fayetteville on Tuesday for another conference game. Boys Van Buren 53, Bentonville 46 The Pointers picked up its second 6A West Conference win in four starts as it held off Bentonville at home. Van Buren limited the Tigers to single-digit scoring through the first three quarter to build a 30-22 lead. With just three fouls with 1:30 remaining in the game. Bentonville resorted to fouling Van Buren at every opportunity to stop the clock. The Pointers missed the front half of the one-and-one and Bentonville took it to the other side and a three pointer from Harrison Hicks made it 45-41 at the 1:04 mark. Hicks came off the bench to lead the game with 15 points, all three pointers. Braydon Gilmore drew most of the fouls and went to the line for the double bonus and sank the final six baskets to help the Pointers maintain its lead. Gilmore, Gary Phillips, and Damarius Newton would finish with 10 points each. Avery Salisbury led Van Buren with 12 points. Van Buren launched into a 10-0 run after Bentonville Cooper Smith tied it up with 4:57 remaining in the third quarter. Any team going 6:29 without scoring a basket would run into trouble. Somehow Van Buren maintained it’s lead for most of the first half as Bentonville shot just 1-of-9 from the floor and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Van Buren High School Athletics

VAN BUREN FALLS TO BENTONVILLE

GEORGE CLAY MITCHELL

Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette | 2/8/2020

PHOTO CREDIT: Van Buren High School Athletics