Top seeded Lady Rebels mercy rule Newport

Top seeded Riverside flexed its muscle in Thursday night’s first round NEA Tournament matchup against Newport, crushing the Lady Greyhounds 67-38 at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro. The Lady Rebels put together a balanced scoring attack while forcing the Lady Greyhounds into 20 turnovers.

Riverside held an 18-11 lead after the first quarter behind the one-two scoring punch of Lotti Hoffman and Grace Puckett, who combined for 15 points. Newport drilled three treys in the period to stay within striking distance.

The Lady Rebels stretched their advantage in the second stanza by pounding the ball inside to Puckett, who scored 12 more inside the paint. Newport’s only baskets in the period were a pair of three pointers as Riverside held a 39-17 halftime advantage.

The Lady Rebels continued to pour it on in the third period, outscoring Newport 22-7 to go ahead 61-24 after three quarters.

Riverside placed three players in double digits, led by Puckett’s 19, all coming in the first half. Bean Hoffman pumped in 17 while Lotti Hoffman had 13. Briley Douglas netted eight, Hailey Carr posted seven while Anna Meurer added three points. The Lady Rebels canned 8-11 free throws and hit five three pointers.

Hannah Curtis and Jerrica Ballentine scored 16 and 14 points respectively to lead Newport. Curtis and Ballentine knocked down four three pointers apiece. The Lady Greyhounds went to the foul line only three times, connecting on two. Newport dropped in 10 triples.

Riverside advances to the semifinals where they face Trumann.