Mena’s 2nd-half surge downs Bauxite

MENA – A slow start to kick off the second half would end up doing in the Bauxite Lady Miners Friday in Mena. Down just five points at intermission, the Lady Miners managed just four points in the third quarter while the Mena Lady Bearcats ran away in a 51-35 victory in 7-4A Conference play.

It was the Lady Miners second straight loss after winning four in a row, putting them at 7-12 overall, 4-2 in league action, while Mena improves to 13-2,

7-1 to keep pace with Nashville’s 7-1 at the top of the conference.

It was a close game to start as Bauxite sophomore Abby Beene scored seven points in the first quarter the Lady Miners trailed 14-10. Bauxite was solid in the second as junior Bethany Harrell hit two threes in the quarter and finished with nine points in the half the Lady Bearcats led 24-19.

While Bauxite was able to keep pace in the first half, the third quarter proved to be perilous. Senior Olivia Mcdade’s 3-pointer and sophomore Layla Patrick’s free throw accounted for the Lady Miners lone points, while Mena exploded for 15 to lead 39-23 going into the fourth, with both teams putting up 12 for the 16-point final.

Beene led Bauxite with 12 points, nine in the first half as well, with Harrell scoring nine total for the game. Senior Faith Robinson added six points, with Mcdade and senior Baylee Hutchison adding three apiece.

The Lady Miners are back in action Tuesday, hosting the Lady Cobras of Fountain Lake at Fred Dawson Gym in Bauxite.