IN SHORT: The Searcy Lions’ record fell to 9-2 on the season with a 58-50 loss to Little Rock Hall.
By JASON KING
Leader sports writer
Little Rock Hall handed the Lions only their second loss of the season with a 58-50 win Friday night at the Jungle in Searcy.
The Lions made it interesting in the final minutes, but could not rally all the way after falling behind by nine points at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
The seven-point advantage picked up by Hall after the opening quarter could never be erased completely. Hall took a 14-7 lead after the opening frame, but the Lions did not allow them to extend that lead any further in the second quarter. Searcy was not able to make up any of the deficit, but kept it at seven points through the next eight minutes.
The Warriors led 23-16 at halftime, and extended that lead by another pair in the third quarter, putting Searcy in desperate need of a rally.
The Lions did rally, cutting the Hall lead down to four points, but could not come any closer.
“We had some open shots after we cut it down to four, but they just wouldn’t fall for us,” Lions coach Roger Franks said. “I felt like if we could have tied the game up, we would have been in pretty good shape with it being a home game. The crowd was great; they were really into it there at the end, and I think we could have used that energy if we would have been forced into overtime.”
Matt Cramblett led the Lions with 21 points. Justin Rowden finished with 10 points. Cody Wilmath and Levi Dixon each added eight points for Searcy. The loss gives Searcy a record of 9-2. For Little Rock Hall, A.J. Walton led with 12 points.
Searcy will be off for the holidays until the start of the Coca Cola Classic Tournament in Ft. Smith on the North side campus starting on December 28. Franks says he will let his team enjoy Christmas off before preparing them for the Ft. Smith tourney with practice starting back up on the 26th.