After an even affair in the first quarter for Har-Ber (16-4, 3-1) and Bentonville (13-5, 1-3), junior guard Ashley Gray scored five straight points for the Lady Wildcats to begin the second quarter. Gray had eight points on the night.

“We continued to play lock down defense and running on fast breaks the entire quarter,” said Gray. “And Olson hit me every time.”

Following Gray’s offensive spurt, Har-Ber continued scoring in the second, outscoring Bentonville 17-1.

“We did a great job at running the floor, and I think our depth really helped us because they started to look tired,” said senior point guard Jessica Olson.

A 16-point quarter thrashing may seem like a lot, but it is actually the Lady Wildcats’ second biggest quarter of the season. Har-Ber outscored Pea Ridge 23-0 in the first quarter earlier this season.

In comparison to the Pea Ridge run, Olson believes the Bentonville run was very similar.

“Our posts do a good job of grabbing the rebounds and looking for an outlet,” said Olson. “It’s something we do a lot in practice, and it’s a part in our game that comes natural to us.”

After halftime, Har-Ber looked a little shaky, scoring only four points in the third and allowing 12 from Bentonville, but it wouldn’t matter, cause that’s the closest the Lady Tigers would come the rest of the night.

Despite the minor run by Bentonville, seniors Caroline Eubanks and Summer Morgan came up big in the fourth to clinch for Har-Ber. Morgan had 13 to lead all scorers, while Eubanks scored 10 as well. Senior Krista Murr also hit a big three pointer in the fourth to advance the Lady Wildcats’ lead. Murr had five total points.

Har-Ber won handily, 48-36, even though the scoreboard only showed a difference of 12 points.

The Lady Wildcats return to the hardwood Friday night (Jan. 20) versus Fort Smith Northside, at home.