BERRYVILLE — Berryville watched an eight-point third-quarter lead disappear, then rallied from a six-point deficit late in the fourth quarter to post a 53-52 victory over Gravette on Tuesday in 1-4A Conference action at Bobcat Arena.

Berryville, which lost a close game at Gravette earlier this season, built a 39-31 lead late in the third quarter.

The Lady Lions began to make their run, closing the gap to 41-37 going into the fourth quarter, which began with a three-pointer by Morgan Bayley to cut the lead to a single point.

Gravette was able to take its first lead since the first two minute of the game and went up 47-43on a pair of free throws by Julia Himsl with 4:27 left to play.

Layups by Shyanne Nichols and Samantha Vanotterloo gave the Lady Lions a 51-45 lead with 2.21 left to play.

Berryville countered with a three pointer, a layup and a free throw to tie the score with 51 seconds to go and they took a two-point lead with a half-minute left. The Lady Lions closed within one on a free throw as time expired.

Bayley led Gravette with 17 points, Nichols had 14, Himsl 8, Newell 7, Vanotterloo 4 and Alsup 3.

Lions 39, Berryville 57

The Lions dropped their game to the host Bobcats 57-39. Tanner Daniels led Gravette with 12 points and Nick Hendren had 11.

Sports, Pages 9 on 02/03/2010