Pulaski Academy withstands slow start

6A/5A-4 BOYS

PULASKI ACADEMY 54, LITTLE ROCK HALL 52

Pulaski Academy did not score until there was 4:10 left in the first quarter but finally got going to nab a 54-52 road victory over Little Rock Hall at Cirks Arena on Tuesday night.

Ke’Von Cooper and Jared Smith led the Warriors (11-5, 0-2 6A/5A-4) early, each scoring six points in the fast-paced first quarter for a 16-12 lead.

Griffin Newby came alive for the Bruins (8-4, 2-1) in the second quarter, going inside for their only four field goals of the quarter.

A technical foul against Hall’s Jonathan Coleman early in the quarter gave the Bruins a lift, and Zach Fischer sank both free throws. He later added three more points from the free-throw line when he was fouled on a missed three-pointer.

On the strength of Newby’s field goals and the free throws, the Bruins had a 27-26 edge at the half.

In the second half, rebounds by the Bruins put them in position for the victory.

Leading 53-52 with less than a minute to play, Pulaski Academy played keep-away from the Warriors. EJ Anderson was fouled with 0.9 seconds left. He hit the first free throw, then Franks called a timeout.

Tra Johnson led the Bruins with 20 points and Newby added 12. Greg Johnson led the Warriors with 20 while Cooper accounted for 15.