Fayetteville uses fast start in win

FAYETTEVILLE — Another game, another fast start for the Fayetteville Bulldogs.

Fayetteville grabbed an 18-point lead in the first half and defeated Bentonville West 53-36 on Tuesday night in 6A-West Conference boys action at Bulldog Arena.

The game was similar to Fayetteville’s last game when the Bulldogs built a 15-point lead in the first half and won 64-31 at Rogers Heritage.

Jadyn Haney scored 22 points to lead Fayetteville, while Ben Van Hecke and Quentyn Thompson had 10 points apiece for Bentonville West (7-9, 1-3). DJ Hudson added 14 and Xavier Brown 9 for Fayetteville (16-2, 4-0).

All five starters contributed at least one basket Tuesday when Fayetteville jumped to a 25-7 lead over Bentonville West. The surge was led by Haney, who scored 13 points in the first half. Haney ended the first quarter with consecutive three-pointers then opened the second quarter by swishing another shot from beyond the arc.

Haney also contributed on defense and he displayed his athleticism when he went up and blocked a shot by Lane Jeffcoat, a 6-9 Rice University football signee, who plays center for the Wolverines.

“[Haney] was making shots and he’s always going to play hard on defense,” Fayetteville Coach Brad Stamps said. “He ended up leading us in scoring tonight and we needed it. I hope he continues to shoot the ball like that.”

Haney eventually cooled off with his outside shooting but Ornette Gaines picked up the slack with two three-pointers, including one from the corner to prompt a timeout with the Wolverines trailing by 18 points midway through the second quarter.

Bentonville West got on a roll in the third quarter and cut the Fayetteville lead to 34-28 following a three-pointer by Quentyn Thompson and a dunk from Landon Price. But Fayetteville regained control in the fourth quarter and increased its lead to 46-32 after Gaines made an off-balanced three-pointer from the corner to barely beat the shot clock.

“Haney and Gaines have played many games for them that matter,” Bentonville West Coach Greg White said. “When you look at our team, we’re still pretty young when it comes to winning times, times to make those plays. I thought our scheme was great tonight and the pace was what we wanted. It’s just that they’ve got some guys who make plays.”

Fayetteville continues league play at Fort Smith Southside on Friday, while Bentonville West travels to Springdale Har-Ber.

(Special to NWA Democrat-Gazette/Brent Soule) Fayetteville’s Jadyn Haney goes in for a layup Tuesday night against Bentonville West. Haney scored 22 points to lead the Bulldogs to a 53-36 victory.