MAUMELLE — It was a five minute span that eventually signaled the end for Pea Ridge’s boys basketball team’s season.
Pottsville used that time to put together a 15-0 run Friday night, and the Blackhawks never recovered as they dropped a 60-43 decision to the Apaches in the Class 4A North Region Tournament.
Pea Ridge, which ended its season with a 22-7 record, began the second quarter with a 17-12 deficit, but Evan Tillman’s quick bucket made it a 3-point game.
That turned out to be the Blackhawks’ last points until Tillman hit a 3-pointer with 2:36 before half-time.
That’s when Pottsville pulled away, thanks to sophomore guard Michael Perry. He scored eight of the next 11 points, then senior post Chris Albin capped the run with a dunk and gave the Apaches a 32-14 lead with 2:53 left in the first half.
Pea Ridge tried its best to get within striking distance in the third quarter as Tillman erupted.
The senior guard scored nine of his team-high 18 points during that eight-minute span, and Zach Davis’ 3-pointer pulled the Blackhawks within 36-30 midway in the third quarter.
Tillman followed a Pottsville bucket with one of his own, making it a 38-32 game at the threeminute mark, and Pea Ridge had chances to get even closer. The Blackhawks, however, came empty-handed on seven straight possessions and went into the fourth quarter trailing by a 40-32 margin.
Tillman responded with another bucket to pull Pea Ridge within 6 again just seconds into the fourth quarter, but that was as close as the Blackhawks could get. Pottsville countered with a 12-4 run over the next four minutes and extended its lead into double digits for good.
Jacob Hall was the only other Pea Ridge player in double figures with 10 points. Perry led all scorers with 19 points, while Albin added 14 and Travis Cole chipped in 11 for Pottsville.
POTTSVILLE 60, PEA RIDGE 43
Pottsville 17 16 7 20 - 60
Pea Ridge 12 8 12 11 - 43
Pottsville: Perry 19, Albin 14, Cole 11, Maness 6, Weaver 4, McAnulty 3, McKown 3.
Pea Ridge (22-7): Tillman 18, Hall 10, Mangrum 6, Pitts 6, Davis 3.
Sports, Pages 7 on 02/27/2013