PEA RIDGE, Ark. — Neosho came from behind to earn a 50-44 victory over McDonald County in the fifth-place game of the Battle at the Ridge boys basketball tournament on Saturday at Pea Ridge High School.
The Wildcats trailed by nine in the first half (18-9) and by five in the second half (38-33).
“This was a great team win,” Neosho coach Zane Culp said. “Brock Franklin and Michael Day stepped up huge today by hitting shots and guarding Mac’s best players (Dowd and Woods). Kael Smith was an absolute dog today. On an injured ankle, he absolutely battled and led us in every way and played every minute of the second half.”
The Mustangs held a 12-6 lead at the end of the low-scoring first quarter and Mac County was up 22-19 at halftime.
McDonald County held a slim 38-36 lead at the end of the third period.
The game was tied at 44 with just under four minutes to play and Neosho’s Smith made two free throws to give the Wildcats a two-point lead.
Neosho’s Franklin hit a key fadeaway midrange jumper with 30 seconds left to give the Wildcats a four-point cushion.
Smith converted two free throws with 18 seconds remaining for a 49-44 cushion.
The Mustangs were unable to overcome several empty possessions in the fourth quarter. Neosho outscored McDonald County 14-6 in the fourth quarter.
Smith scored 21 points to lead the Wildcats, while Franklin added 11 and Day contributed nine points.
The Wildcats played without Isaiah Green and Carter Baslee, as both players were taking the ACT.
Sterling Woods scored 13 to lead the Mustangs, while Weston Gordon had 10 and Destyn Dowd added seven.
Both teams have road games on Tuesday, as Neosho is at Monett and McDonald County travels to Willard.
McDonald County will host the Mustang Classic from Dec. 15-17.
