Everyone pitches in for Eagles

ARK. BAPT. 68, PUL. ROBINSON 56

Arkansas Baptist is still unbeaten in the 4A-4 Conference.

Chad McGonigal scored 21 points and his brother Cory McGonigal added 17 as the Eagles defeated host Pulaski Robinson 68-56 Tuesday night.

Seven-footers Brandon and Connor Vanover added 11 points each for Arkansas Baptist (17-5, 11-0).

“We have an unbelievable team chemistry,” Arkansas Baptist Coach Brian Ross said. “We started the season 0-4. Now we’ve won 17 out of our past 19 games. They stuck together when things weren’t going well early and they believe in each other.

“There could be a different leading scorer each night and nobody really cares who gets the credit.”

Arkansas Baptist managed to take a 12-5 lead early in the game on a three-pointer by Kaleb Kauffman and a threepoint play from Brandon Vanover, but Phillip Brown, who led Robinson (7-13, 3-8) with 25 points, scored two consecutive baskets and added a three-pointer to cut the lead to 14-12 by the end of the first quarter.

Connor Vanover stepped outside for a three-pointer and Chad McGonigal added a three-point play to start Arkansas Baptist’s 18-6 run that opened up a 31-20 lead. Kauffman added a three-point play, and Chad McGonigal hit a layup for a 33-23 halftime advantage.

Brown scored consecutive three-point plays and put back an offensive rebound to pull Pulaski Robinson to within 38-36 early in the third quarter, but four free throws and a basket by Cory McGonigal gave Arkansas Baptist a 48-40 lead.

Two blocked shots from Connor Vanover resulted in a layup by Cory McGonigal, then Chad McGonigal added a three-point play for a 58-47 lead. Minutes later, baskets from both Vanovers put Arkansas Baptist ahead 65-50 with two minutes to play.