Three-pointers keep Mustangs out of reach

Led by a first half barrage of three pointers, the Farmington Cardinals used their longrange shooting by just about every Cardinal player to topple Forrest City 86-59 Saturday in the third and final game of the Farmington Cardinal Classic played at Farmington.

Forrest City won their first game over the New School on Thursday but fell to Benton 7647 on Friday.

Laced with three-point shooters, the Cardinals (11-2) for the season overpowered the Mustangs from the three-point arc putting the game away under the fourth quarter "mercy rule."

Just two minutes into Saturday's game, the Mustangs and Cardinals were locked in a 8-8 tie before the Cardinals found their range knocking down seven, three-point shots to pull away from Forrest City 36-10 at the end of the first frame.

The Mustangs were held to a pair of three pointers and a pair of two-point baskets after breaking the tie and getting within four points of the Cardinals at 12-8.

It was all Farmington from that point in the opening frame with Forrest City hitting for just two points.

The Cardinals held the Mustangs to just 16 points in the second quarter on the way to a 64-31 halftime cushion, striking for five more threes for a total of 13 three pointers in the first half. Forrest City found their range in the second quarter for four, three pointers.

The third quarter was more of the same by Farmington, taking their halftime lead to 80-48 to begin the fourth frame.

Jaxon Berry led Farmington with 28 points while Layne Taylor had 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

Both teams began the fourth quarter under the 30point mercy rule and a running clock.

Forrest City was able to put up 11 points in the final frame, taking advantage of three, three pointers to set the final score.

Farmington was held to just six, fourth quarter points.

••••• Forrest City will be back on the road Monday when they return to conference action at Brookland.

The Bearcats are coming off a 35-31 loss to Paragould on Friday.