GRAVETTE — The Prairie Grove Tigers started strong and finished stronger in their 68-52 4A-1 Conference win Friday against Gravette, building a big lead early and stifling a Lions comeback with a big push late.

The Lions (4-14, 1-6) pulled to within three points at the 4 minute, 15 second mark of the fourth quarter but Prairie Grove point guard Jalen Beeks started another 11-0 Tigers run with a field goal and two free throws as Prairie Grove (7-10, 3-5) pulled away for the win.

Gravette spent the entire game trailing and looked to be out of it in the second quarter until Nick Hendren scored 11 straight points for the Lions in one, including a 7-0 Lion run all by himself to close the half. Prairie Grove led 35-27 at the halfway point after building a 16-point lead early on.

All of Gravette’s points came in runs by single players, as 13 of Hendren’s 18 points came in the second period and 10 of Cody Montee’s 15 points came in the third.

Also scoring for the Lions were Daniels with 8, O’Brien 7, McGarrah 3 and Bilderback 1.

Lady Lions 35, P.G. 43

The undefeated Lady Tigers avoided a major upset at home to maintain theirperfect record.

The Lady Tigers led by just two at the half but built an eight-point lead thanks to six third-quarter points from freshman Justine Huber, who would finish with 12, and Prairie Grove had just enough at the end to hold off Gravette and Morgan Bayley, who scored a game-high 22 points in the loss.

Also scoring for the Lady Lions were Himsl 5, Nichols 4 and Alsup and Detring 2 each.

Homecoming for the Lions is this Friday night and the teams will play the Farmington Cardinals. Next Thursday Pea Ridge will come to the Lion gym.

Sports, Pages 10 on 01/27/2010