LITTLE ROCK — Senior Mike Evans scored four points in 30 seconds to help push North Little Rock past visiting Van Buren 51-48 on Friday night.
In a back-and-forth game in which neither 7A-Central team led by more than five points, the 6-8 center’s short jumper with 30 seconds left and free throws with 0.1 seconds left were the difference.
The free throws came after Van Buren guard Tyler Spoon dribbled the length of the floor and just missed a layup.
“We made some free throws and got a couple of breaks,” North Little Rock Coach Richard Alexander said.
Junior Logan Patterson helped jump-start Van Buren with eight points - including two three-pointers - inthe first few minutes of the game.
Van Buren (19-9, 7-6) hit 6 of 11 three-pointers, while North Little Rock made 1 of 8.
Even 6-11 center Hooper Vint hit a three for Van Buren in a first quarter in which each team scored 20 points.
The Charging Wildcats (19-9, 11-3) led 31-27 at halftime with the help of Evans’ three second-quarter blocks and sophomore guard Tyree’s Hollister’s 19-footer as the half expired.
Junior Chris Campbell scored North Little Rock’s first six points in the third quarter, dueling with Vint, who scored the Pointers’ first eight points.
“When one of their nonshooters had the ball, we wanted to guy who was guarding him to back down in the paint on him to try to help out on Hooper,” Alexander said of his strategy against Vint.
Still, Vint led his team with 19 points, while adding 5 rebounds and 3 blocks. Patterson added 16 points.
Campbell, who led the Charging Wildcats with 24 points, fouled out with 48 seconds left. In the ensuing 18 seconds, the Wildcats missed numerous shots while the Pointers couldn’t secure a rebound. Then, the ball popped into Evans’ hands.
“Just had to crash the boards, you know,” he said. “Coach is always complaining that I don’t.” VAN BUREN (48) Patterson 6 0-0 16, Goodwin 1 1-2 3, Spoon 0 0-0 0, White 3 3-5 10 , Vint 7 2-2 17, Schoolcraft 0 0-0 0, Johnson 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 6-9 48.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK (51) Bryles 3 0-0 7, Hallister 4 0-0 8, Evans 4 2-3 10, Campbell 10 4-5 24, Coleman 0 0-0 0, Gibson 1 0-0 2, Cooper 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 6-8 51.
Van Buren (19-9) ................20 7 11 10 - 48 North Little Rock (19-9) ........20 11 8 12 - 51 Three-pointers - Van Buren 6 (Patterson 4, White, Vint); North Little Rock 1 (Bryles). Team fouls - Van Buren 14, North Little Rock 13.
Sports, Pages 26 on 02/27/2010