LITTLE ROCK — Little Rock Central’s girls were athletic enough to erase a deficit, but too impatient to take a lead.
Junior guard Haleigh Henson led Greenwood with 16 points as the Lady Bulldogs held on for a 58-49 victory over host Central on Friday night.
Greenwood (10-1) led 30-24 at halftime. Brittany Rufus converted a deep three-pointer with 2:02 remaining in the first quarter to give Central a 10-6 lead, but Greenwood pulled ahead 15-12 at the end of the period.
Central (6-4) regained the lead when a free throw from Alaysia Ready made it 19-18 with 5:25 remaining in the half. Greenwood outscored Central 4-0 and extended its lead with points off Central turnovers in the final minutes of the half.
Central started the second half with turnovers on three of its first four possessions, and Greenwood extended its lead to 46-38 heading into the final quarter. Central increased its defensive pressure in the fourth quarter and Jamie Ruffins converted a jumper that pulled the Lady Tigers to within 48-47 with 4:51 remaining. Central stayed within a possession for the next two minutes, but missed on several rushed three-point attempts when faced with an opportunity to take the lead.
Greenwood outscored Central 4-0 with three minutes remaining and stayed ahead with free throws the remainder of the game.
Junior guard Lundon Williams added 12 points for Greenwood. Taylor Lewis and Kiava Williams each scored 11 points for Central. The Lady Tigers made 18 of 58 from the floor and 9 of 18 from the free-throw line. Greenwood shot 20 of 46 from the floor and 15 of 21 from the free throw line.
Sports, Pages 25 on 12/22/2012