Big fourth quarter propels Lafayette girls over Benton
By Jacob Meikel
Ryan Madison’s first year back with the Lafayette girls basketball program continues to run smoothly, as they defeat rival Benton 48-43 on Tuesday.
With bragging rights on the line for the Southside and Northside teams, the Cardinals and Fighting Irish traded blows through most of the contest.
The Cardinals were able to go into the halftime break ahead 20-19 when sophomore Eliana Arambula scored a timely layup by creating for herself just before the halftime buzzer.
Benton would carry the momentum into the start of the third quarter as they got out to a 7-4 run in the first three and a half minutes in the quarter. As the third quarter wore on, the two teams hung neck and neck as neither team allowed much distance between. Benton led 29-28 going into the fourth quarter, but Lafayette would eventually find its groove once the Cardinals started to cool down.
The Fighting Irish would outscore the Cardinals 20-14 in the final eight minutes with their largest lead being eight points at 47-39 when Talicia Byrd assisted Emery Omon on a fast break.
The win marks the first for Lafayette girls over their arch rival for the first time since 2017. The loss for Benton marks its third loss in its last four games as the Cardinals will continue to grind through their conference schedule.
