FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE 59, CONWAY 58

Fort Smith Northside got a defensive stop when it needed it most to help preserve a 6A-Central Conference victory Tuesday night at Kaundart-Grizzly Fieldhouse.

Conway (17-6, 8-3) had the ball with seven seconds left down 58-55 but turned the ball over when Noah Gordon stole the ball then added to the lead with a much needed free throw.

The Wampus Cats were able to make a 3-point basket at the buzzer to cut the final score when senior Kylen Milton made the shot behind the arc.

“We needed a big game like this with us going out there and winning it,” Northside coach Eric Burnett said. “This game should give us confidence. I think this game will help us carry it over down the stretch to finish the conference season.”

Northside (16-9, 7-4) was led by Jaylin Williams, who finished with a team-high 15 points. Anthony Travis added 11, while Braylin McKinley chipped in 10 for the Grizzlies.

Conway’s Trey Tull scored 15 points to help lead the offense. Milton also added 13 points for the Wampus Cats, which snapped a three-game winning streak with the loss.

Northside held a 49-34 lead in the fourth quarter but was outscored 24-10 down the stretch of the game after that. The Grizzlies had eight fourth-quarter turnovers.

“We felt like we let one slip away the last time we played them,” Burnett said. “We did a little better tonight taking care of the basketball. We hit our free throws this time unlike last time. They cause us problem with their length.”

The Grizzlies held a 13-8 advantage after the initial quarter and then a 23-14 edge heading into the break.

Conway ........................... 8 6 13 31 — 58 Northside ...................... 13 10 13 23 — 59 Conway (17-6, 8-3): Tull 15, Milton 13, London 9, Bohannon 8, Clardy 8, Williams 3, Kanser 2.

Northside (16-9, 7-4): Williams 15, Travis 11, McKinely 10, Releford 9, Henderson 5, Thorne 4, Gordon 3, Norwood 2.