Lady Mustangs trounce Tuckerman 64-21 in NEA tourney opener

Buffalo Island Central's senior girls broke their four game losing streak in a big way, with a 64-21 thrashing over Tuckerman Thursday afternoon in the first round of the Northeast Arkansas Invitational Tournament at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro.

The seconded seeded Lady Mustangs (16-4) got out of the gates quickly, jumping to an 18-2 lead on their way to a 24-4 advantage at the end of the opening period of play.

BIC continued to pour it on in the second quarter, opening up a 38-13 halftime lead.

BIC junior Emily Owens (51) shoots for two points against Tuckerman in NEA Tournament action last week in Jonesboro.

Eleven players got on the scorebook for the Lady Mustangs, led by Katelyn Sparkman's game high 12 points. Brittany Fowler and Kaylee Greathouse also hit double digits, scoring 10 points apiece. Cassidy Qualls contributed eight, Hayley Parker tallied six while Brittany Stockton and Rachel Goldammer pitched in five points apiece. Rounding out the scoring for BIC was Taylor McKuin, Callie Brooks, Shania Junyor and Emily Owens who all scored two points each.

Katherine Francis and Hannah Davis scored five points apiece to lead the Lady Bulldogs.

BIC advances to the quarterfinals, Tuesday, Dec. 27, at 10:30 a.m. The Lady Mustangs will meet 10th seeded Salem, who upset seventh seeded Westside 50-43 in an earlier first round game.

BIC's Kaylee Greathouse (13) battles an unidentfied Lady Bulldog for the basketball while teammate Brittany Fowler looks on in first round NEA Tournament action last week at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro. (Town Crier photos/Trent Fletcher)