FARMINGTON, Ark. – Despite a fourth quarter comeback, Bethany dropped the opener of the Cardinal Classic to Hot Springs (Ark.) Lakeside, 63-59 Thursday (Dec. 12) in a northwest Arkansas festival.

The Bronchos (1-1) stayed within a couple of scores in the first half but Lakeside (6-1), a 5A school in Arkansas, extended the lead to 49-40 after three quarters.

Trailing 62-57, Bethany got a turnover and a quick basket with :28 left in the game. With Bethany pressing in the backcourt, Lakeside senior Sloan Hayes caught an inbounds pass and was headed out of bounds. Hayes tried to throw the ball off of Bethany senior Wyatt Geissler and junior Denton Jaggers. The ball ended up in senior Braxton Mullins’ hand instead for a layup to make it 62-59 with :24.9 left.

On the next possession, Sloan took the inbounds pass and the Bronchos tried to foul. He was able to sprint down the court before a passing to fellow senior Sam Trusty. Bethany got the foul with :17 left.

Trusty split the free throws to make it a four-point game (63-59).

Bethany sprinted down the floor and had two shots but was unable to score before time ran out.

“Tough one!” Bethany coach Brett Cannon said via text. “We did some good things. Shot ourselves in the foot a ton. Just made too many mental errors in the second half that we couldn’t overcome. Our execution hasn’t been great defensively but that will come with time and reps.

“Not too upset with the loss. Hate to lose but I know this isn’t our final form and that our best basketball is out in front of us,” Cannon said.

Bethany had two players in double figures with senior Aiden Todd scoring 18 points and Geissler addedin 11.

The Rams’ Hayes scored a career-high 32 points in the win.

UP NEXT

The Bronchos meet Forrest City (6-1 in 4A) at 4:30 p.m. as the Cardinal Classic continues.

The Mustangs beat host Farmington, Ark., 52-39, Tuesday.

	1	2	3	4	F
Bethany (1-1)	12	16	12	19	59
Lakeside (6-1)	17	15	17	14	63