Maumelle keeps its conference mark perfect

Maumelle protected its conference lead in a foul-ridden 79-59 victory over visiting Clarksville on Friday night.

JB Minix led Maumelle (144, 5-0 5A-West) with 20 points, while teammates Gary Burton and Tremont Robinson added 18 points apiece in the victory that was marred by a firealarm delay at halftime and three technical fouls in the fourth quarter, one leading to Robinson’s ejection.

“We talked about playing from the beginning to the end, because we knew it was going to be a battle,” Maumelle Coach Michael Shook said. “There at the end, things kind of got a little out of hand, but we did a good job during the game of making runs.”

Minix had eight-first quarter points and broke open a 12-11 game with two consecutive baskets from the baseline. Robinson had a three-point play and his nine first-quarter points helped give Maumelle a 27-18 lead.

Clarksville (9-11, 0-5) fought back behind Casey Benton’s 17 points. His three-pointer early in the second quarter closed Maumelle’s lead to 29-25, but Burton put back an offensive miss and Minix sank two free throws before baskets from Braylon Waits and Blake Conner pushed the lead to 37-25.