Trusty hits winner for Bulldogs in OT

RUSSELLVILLE — The Greenwood Lady Bulldogs won an offensive shootout with a game-winning defensive play.

Anna Trusty converted a turnover into a layup and the Lady Bulldogs survived two shots at the end for a 71-70 win over Russellville in overtime on Friday night at Cyclone Arena in the 5A-West opener.

Greenwood (12-3) led almost from the start to the end of regulation after a 15-0 run led to an 18-3 lead just 6 minutes into the game and finished the first quarter with a 20-8 cushion. Greenwood forced seven turnovers and allowed just one field goal in the first 6 minutes.

It took a steal by Izzy Smith on a scramble near midcourt with seconds left in overtime and a pass to Carley Sexton, who quickly hit Trusty flashing down the court for a layup with 7.8 seconds left.

Russellville missed two shots, including a contested one off an offensive rebound, as the buzzer sounded.

“All of our kids have been there, they’ve played in all kinds of games, close, tight games when things don’t go good,” Greenwood Coach Clay Reeves said. “It makes you stronger throughout the year. Everybody enjoys winning by a lot, it makes you feel better but it really doesn’t help you get a whole lot better sometimes. So, some close ones here or there really does test the kids.”

The Lady Cyclones whittled the deficit to 34-26 at the half and 54-46 after three quarters.

A single free throw by Dru Robinson with 4.3 seconds left in regulation tied the game at 64-64.

Russellville took its first lead since 1-0 in the first minute of the game on Taleigha Ealy’s basket off an offensive rebound to open overtime and went up 68-64 on Zariah Campbell’s basket underneath. Russellville had the opportunity to go up even more but Greenwood converted a turnover into a three-point play by Trusty, driving for a bucket and adding the ensuing free throw with 1:58 left in overtime.

Robinson’s layup had Russellville up 70-67 with 1:46 left but Smith scored on a driving jumper inside with 1:22 left to keep Greenwood within 70-69.

Each team had another possession before Smith’s steal in the waning seconds led to Trusty’s game-winning layup.

Nine players in the game scored in double digits with all five of Greenwood’s starters scoring at least 10 points led by Trusty with 28 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots. Sexton added 11 points and eight rebounds, and Smith and Kylah Pearcy each scored 11 points. Brooklyn Woolsey scored 10 points.

Ealy led Russellville with 15 points, 16 rebounds, including 6 offensive boards, and 2 blocked shots. Brenna Burk scored 16 points, including four three-pointers, and Robinson and Shyisha Willis each scored 12 points.

BOYS RUSSELLVILLE 74, GREENWOOD 39

The Cyclones jumped to a big first-quarter lead and coasted to the win.

Russellville (16-1) led 32-7 after a quarter, 45-11 at the half and 60-25 after three quarters.

Caleb Campbell scored 13 points, Donavon Villareal added 12 points and Max Stump, who has scored double digits every game this season, scored 11 to lead the Cyclones.

Peyton Presson led Greenwood (17) with 10 points and four rebounds, while Landon Nelms had eight points and eight rebounds.