A quick turnaround didn’t slow down Westminster Academy on Saturday.
The Lions from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., defeated Benton 68-59 in the first game of the day at the King Cotton Holiday Classic after falling in the final game the night before.
Benton scored the first 4 points, but Westminster responded with a 10-2 run to take the lead. The Panthers tied the game at 13, only for the Lions took an 18-13 lead into the second quarter.
From there, Benton on several occasions cut the lead to one possession but never tied it. The closest the Panthers got in the fourth quarter was 51-49 after a 3-pointer by University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff commit Harrison Pickett. The Lions pulled away from there.
University of Florida commit Alex Lloyd threw down a one-handed slam in transition, and teammate Dwight Gaines followed it with 3-pointer. A 3-point play by Alex Constanza put the game away for the Lions.
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Benton struggled from the free throw line for a second consecutive game, shooting 7 of 15.
Constanza scored a game-high 24 for Westminster, followed by 17 from Lloyd. Pickett led Benton with 20 points, while Caleb Knight scored 17.
FRIDAY: Springdale 69, Westminster 58
Last year’s King Cotton runners-up won’t have a chance at redemption after falling in the first round late Friday.
Springdale knocked off Westminster Academy 69-58 in the final game of the opening day.
The Bulldogs led 12-10 after a first quarter which featured three lead changes and five ties. Springdale then pulled away by outscoring the Lions 20-8 in the second quarter. Westminster got the deficit down to 63-56 with 2:11 to play, but the Bulldogs answered with a 6-0 run to put the Lions away.
University of Arkansas signee Isaiah Sealy led Springdale with 24 points. Cy Bates scored 16 points, while Maliq Sosa finished with 14.
Westminster junior Constanza scored a game-high 25 points, whileLloyd scored 22.
Springdale faced Bellaire, Texas, in the semifinals late Saturday.