BEARCATS COME FROM BEHIND TO TAKE 3A-4 OPENER

The Booneville Bearcats opened conference play Friday night with a come-from-behind win over Cedarville, 42-39.

On Saturday the Bearcats (7-2, 1-0) dropped a 40-37 decision to Kinta, Okla., in the finals of the Battle on the Border tournament in Arkoma, Okla.

Friday night Cedarvile scored the first nine points of the game and the Pirates built as much as a 13-point lead before the first quarter ended.

It was still a double digit disadvantage at 21-11 with 5:38 to play in the first half when the Bearcats started to make a move.

Mason Goers started it with a basket and Colter Fisher – twice – and C.J. Johnson both scored over the next 42 seconds and it was 21-19.

But, the Bearcats went cold again, not scoring for the final 3:51 of the half allowing the Pirates to pull out to a 28-19 edge.

At the 5:03 mark of the third quarter the Pirates were up 33-21 after a 3-pointer. The Pirates would not score again from the floor for the next 9:27.

By then the Bearcats had gone on a 16-1 run had taken a 37-34 lead.

Johnson started the run with five points and, after a 3 by Raiden Ferguson, a basket by Fisher (shown splitting a double team) cut it to 33-31, the Pirates got a free throw to lead by three after three quarters.

Evan Escobedo took over from there scoring his team’s next eight points, going coast-to-coast after a rebound to give the Bearcats their first lead at 35-34.

After Cedarville tied it at 37-37, it was an Escobedo bucket that gave the Bearcats the lead again.

Cedarville again tied it at 39 but Fisher faked a defender and drove the lane for an underhanded roll in for a 41-39 lead with 1:42 to play.

Cedarville worked the clock but missed a shot and Fisher raced the length of the floor after grabbing the rebound. He was fouled on the shot and converted one free throw for a 42-39 lead with 11.9 to play.

The Pirates had a desperation 3 attempt at the buzzer that was off the mark.

Fisher led the Bearcats with 13 points in the game completing a double-double with 10 rebounds. Johnson and Escobedo both scored 10.

On Saturday night against Kinta the Bearcats were down 19-11 at one point before scoring the final six points of the first half and extended the run to 12-0 and led 23-19 with 5:40 left in the third quarter.

The Bearcats maintained a lead most of the rest of the quarter, breaking a momentary tie with a basket by Johnson that made it 30-28.

A free throw by Escobedo made it a three point lead but a basket and a couple of free throws later, Kinta led 32-31 with three minutes to play.

From there the Eagles managed just one field goal, a 3 that made it 35-32, but they hit five of six free throws to take the win.

Fisher led the Bearcats with 14 points. Escobedo scored 10 and Johnson nine. All three were named to the All Tournament team.

The Bearcats are in action for the only time this week tonight when they visit Cossatot River.