MH gets swept at Russellville; girls’ game goes to OT

wireready_02-24-2021-11-12-05_00043_mhbombers

The Mountain Home High School basketball teams wrapped up their regular season on a rough note Tuesday, as they were swept at Russellville. Matt Sharp has the details.

Listen:



click to download audio

The Lady Bombers went to overtime for the second time in their last three games, but they came up short, as the Lady Cyclones won 38-33. Russellville jumped out early on Mountain Home leading 12-5 at the end of the opening quarter. The Lady Cyclones’ offense quietened in the second period, with the Lady Bombers cutting the margin to two at the break. Mountain Home took its first lead late the third quarter, before Russellville tied it back up. The game had six ties, including 31-31 at the end of regulation to force the extra period. The Lady Cyclones had a two-point advantage late in overtime. With 9.2 seconds left, Kate Gilbert drove to the basket for the Lady Bombers and put up a shot with contact. It first appeared she was going to get credit for the basket and go to the line for a three-point opportunity, but then, the official waived off the basket and called her for the charge. Russellville was able to avoid contact at the end, and Gracie Campbell hit a three at the buzzer to give the Lady Cyclones a five-point win.
No one was in double figures for Mountain Home, as the scoring was distributed fairly evenly. Campbell led Russellville with 14 points, Taleigha Ealy scored 12, and Jaidyn Koerdt added 10.
The Lady Cyclones improve to 15-9 on the season and 9-5 in the 5A-West. The Lady Bombers fall to 4-20 and 3-10 and will host Van Buren on Friday to begin the 5A-West District Tournament.

Mountain Home did not fare any better in the boys’ contest losing to Russellville 56-46. The game was back-and-forth throughout the first half with six lead changes and four ties, and the Cyclones went into the halftime locker room up three. Russellville pulled away in the third quarter, as they built a double-digit lead. The Bombers cut it back to a two-possession game, but the Cyclones distanced themselves from Mountain Home again, as they went on to win by 10.
The Bombers were led by the 23 points of Mat Jones, who was in the lineup for the first time since the holidays due to injury. Donyae May had 18 points for Russellville, Trey Allen finished with 16, and Sayvion Brock chipped in 10.
The Cyclones won the 5A-West conference championship, as they are 18-5 overall and 12-1 in the league. Mountain Home drops to 7-12 and 3-9 and will also be at home for the 5A-West District Tournament opener on Friday, as they meet Greenbrier.

WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI