RISON - Woodlawn managed to cut Fordyce's lead to six in the fourth quarter, but the second-ranked Redbugs responded with a late run to pull away for a 71-54 win over the Bears in an 8-2A conference game last Friday night at Redbug Arena.
Fordyce opened the second half with a comfortable 32-18 lead, but the Bears began to chip away.
Woodlawn outscored the Redbugs 21-16 in the third to make it a nine-point deficit, 48-39, heading into the final frame. The Bears managed to cut the margin down to six earl before Fordyce's Brenton Sledge hit some big 3-pointers to turn back the rally.
The loss spoiled another strong outing by Woodlawn junior Raylon Lawson, who finished with 28 points after scoring 19 in the second half. Landen Booth followed with 11 while Brayden Kitchens had eight.
Bears Coach Logan Adair said they were able to hang with the Redbugs for much of the game, but defensive lapses proved to be their undoing. He said he had not been please with the defense for about the past two weeks, so he held a 6 a.m. practice session this past Monday, and it turned out to be one of their best practices of the year.
Woodlawn fell to 5-3 in conference and 10-8 overall. Fordyce improved to 8-0 in league play and 18-1 overall.
The Bears would have had a chance to take sole possession of second place in the 8-2A conference standings Tuesday night when they were scheduled to host Junction City. However, that game was postponed due to winter weather.
The Dragons, like the Bears, are 5-3 in conference play. Junction City knocked off Woodlawn, 75-59, at home on Jan. 6.
Woodlawn 68, Ouachita 60
DONALDSON - Woodlawn saw its 28-point lead cut to two late in the game, but the Bears managed to regain control at the end for 68-60 victory over the Warriors last Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Ouachita.
The Bears seemed to be on cruise control after turning a 3015 lead at the half into a 28...
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