GRAVETTE -- The Gravette Lady Lions hosted the Lady Pioneers of Gentry for a rivalry game on Tuesday, Jan. 3, with the lady Pioneers holding on to an early lead for a 42-39 win.
Going into halftime, the Lady Lions (8-5) trailed 18-12 to a Gentry team (12-5) that scored five field goals in the first half.
The Lady Lions came out of halftime with a quick offensive presence, bringing the score to a three-point deficit.
Gravette Coach Will Pittman said his halftime message to the team was a need to be more consistent and to move a little faster.
At the conclusion of the third quarter, Gentry held a lead of four points, still hoping to maintain its momentum in the fourth quarter.
"We pushed the ball on offense a little more [in the second half], which gave us some more opportunities," Pittman said.
The Lady Lions threatened in the final minutes of the game, but in the end, Alyssa McCarty scored a total of four points at the free throw line to ensure the Lady Pioneers secured a win, making their conference record 3-0.
The Lady Lions prepared for their travel Friday, Jan. 6, to Farmington, the class 4A leader in the state. The Lady Pioneers hosted Berryville.
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Guarded by Gravette's Keeley Elsea, Gentry senior Alyssa McCarty shoots during play against Gravette in Lion Arena on Jan. 3.
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Gentry senior Alyssa McCarty shoots during play against Gravette in Lion Arena on Jan. 3.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Gentry junior Kaitlyn Caswell passes the ball across the court to a teammate during play against Gravette in Lion Arena on Jan. 3.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Gentry junior Kaitlyn Caswell looks to pass the ball to a teammate during play against Gravette in Lion Arena on Jan. 3.
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Guarded on every side by Lady Lions, Gentry senior Alyssa McCarty looks to shoot during play against Gravette in Lion Arena on Jan. 3.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Guarded on every side by Lady Lions, Gentry senior Alyssa McCarty looks to shoot during play against Gravette in Lion Arena on Jan. 3.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
With Gentry's Emma Tevebaugh in the background, Gentry junior Shelby Still shoots from the free-throw line in a game against Gravette in Lion Arena on Jan. 3.
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Gentry's Brynn Cordeiro tries to get past Gravette defenders Brynn Romine, Brook Handle and Dalacie Wishon to shoot in the Jan. 3 game in Lion Arena.
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Gravette junior Brook Handle drives past Gentry senior Alyssa McCarty to take a shot under the basket on Tuesday, Jan. 3, in Lion Arena.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Gravette junior Brook Handle drives past Gentry senior Alyssa McCarty to take a shot under the basket on Tuesday, Jan. 3, in Lion Arena.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Guarded by Gentry's Emma Tevebaugh, Gravette junior Alexa Parker looks to shoot during the Jan. 3 game against Gentry in Lion Arena.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Guarded by Gentry's Emma Tevebaugh, Gravette junior Alexa Parker shoots during the Jan. 3 game against Gentry in Lion Arena.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Gravette junior Keeley Elsea shoots during the Jan. 3 game against Gentry in Lion Arena.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Guarded by Gentry's Alyssa McCarty, Gravette junior Brook Handle looks to pass off the ball to a teammate during the Jan. 3 game against Gentry in Lion Arena.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Gravette junior Gabbi Bates grabs the ball during play against Gentry at Lion Arena on Jan. 3.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Gravette junior Brynn Romine, guarded by Gentry junior Kaitlyn Caswell, looks to shoot from below the basket on Tuesday, Jan. 3, in Lion Arena.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Gravette junior Brynn Romine, guarded by Gentry junior Shelby Still, looks to shoot from below the basket on Tuesday, Jan. 3, in Lion Arena.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Gravette junior Dalacie Wishon drives past Gentry junior Shelby Still and looks to shoot from below the basket on Tuesday, Jan. 3, in Lion Arena.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Gravette junior Dalacie Wishon drives past Gentry junior Shelby Still and looks to shoot from below the basket on Tuesday, Jan. 3, in Lion Arena.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Gravette junior Dalacie Wishon drives past Gentry junior Shelby Still and looks to shoot from below the basket on Tuesday, Jan. 3, in Lion Arena.