Siloam Springs executed its game plan to near perfection Monday against Mountain Home in the 6A state tournament.
The Lady Panthers, playing on their home court, got out to a big lead for the second straight day of the tournament and rolled past the Lady Bombers 46-26 at the Panther Activity Center.
With the win, Siloam Springs advanced to Tuesday's semifinal against Little Rock Parkview. Results of Tuesday's semifinal games were not available at presstime.
Just like they did in Sunday's opening-round victory against Pine Bluff, the Lady Panthers bolted out to a quick start Monday against the Lady Bombers.
Siloam Springs led wire-to-wire against Mountain Home and was never in danger of giving up the lead.
Offensively, the Lady Panthers hurt the Lady Bombers inside and outside and were seemingly able to adjust to whatever defense Mountain Home threw at them.
"We did a good job of moving the ball, and I think it's important for us to get the ball inside early in the games and establish a presence down there," said Siloam Springs head coach Tim Rippy. "We've been able to do that the last two to three ballgames.
"When they went zone -- they went to a 2-3 there -- and I think we hit three or four three's there, (in what) seemed like in a short period of time. I'm sure that had to frustrate (Mountain Home) because they thought they were taking away our strength, but we responded by making shots. We've done that the last three games or so."
Defensively, the Lady Panthers (17-11) closely guarded Mountain Home's dangerous 3-point shooters and limited the amount of good looks the Lady Bombers got. Mountain Home (10-17), who was the No. 1 seed from the 6A-East, finished the game 4 of 18 from behind the 3-point line.
"We knew that we couldn't let them have too many three's," Rippy said. "Especially No. 20 (Breelyn Arms). She's a great shooter."
Baily Cameron knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key for an early 3-0 lead, and she went on to score seven of the Lady Panthers' first nine points as Siloam Springs led 9-0.
Mountain Home's Breelyn Arms banked in a 3-pointer to get the Lady Bombers on the scoreboard, but Bailee Owens answered with a three-point play for the Lady Panthers and Rachel Jones connected on a 3-pointer as Siloam Springs pulled ahead 15-3 after the first quarter.
"I think it's kind of funny that we waited until the state tournament (to start playing our best), but it's what happens and it's a good time to start I guess," Jones said.
Mountain Home scored a pair of baskets from Arms and a Vinessa Daniel layup to open the second quarter and pull within 15-7. Jones answered with another 3-pointer for Siloam Springs to go up 18-7.
Another 3-pointer, this time coming from Abby Cox, put the Lady Panthers ahead 21-9, and a free throw from Cameron and a three-point play from Mirna Torres gave Siloam Springs a 25-11 lead at halftime.
The Lady Panthers went right back to work in the second half.
Mayse Pippin scored inside and Owens cranked a 3-pointer for a 30-14 lead. Jones scored inside for an 18-point lead, and Pippin also scored on a putback as Siloam Springs led 34-16.
Cameron made it a 20-point game with a basket inside and she hit 3 of 4 from the free-throw line to give the Lady Panthers a 39-16 lead.
Torres split a pair of free throws at the end of the third quarter as Siloam Springs pulled ahead 40-16. Torres and Taylor Gay each scored in the fourth quarter, while Hoelscher added two free throws as the Lady Panthers finished off the victory.
It was the Lady Panthers' third straight win dating back to a win against Van Buren on Feb. 26 at home.
"We've played better here all year. It's no secret," Rippy said. "For whatever reason we tend to shoot the ball really well at home. I think it's just confidence, too. That's our third win in a row. You can see the confidence building."
Arms was the only bright spot offensively for Mountain Home, hitting four 3-pointers and scoring 14 points.
"It was kind of a double whammy," said Mountain Home coach Dell Leonard. "We've lived and died by the three all year, and when it was falling things were awesome. When it doesn't fall things were pretty rough. On the other side of that (defensively), you've got to give somewhere. You've got to decide if you're going to take away their inside game. We had to work so hard to defend their posts. I give their kids credit, especially No. 11 (Jones). She stepped up and hit some shots. They have a really, really good team. Coach Rippy does a good job. They were very tough, especially here."
Siloam Springs 46, Mountain Home 26
Siloam Springs 15 10 15 6 -- 46
Mountain Home 3 8 5 10 -- 26
Siloam Springs (17-11): Cameron 13, Jones 8, Pippin 6, Owens 6, Torres 6, Cox 3, Gay 2, Hoelscher 2.
Mountain Home (10-17): Arms 14, Martin 6, Daniel 4, O'Brien 2.
Siloam Springs 52, Pine Bluff 34
Bailee Owens and Baily Cameron got Siloam Springs off to a fast start on their home court Sunday in the opening round of the Class 6A state tournament.
Mayse Pippin made sure the Lady Panthers finished strong.
Owens and Cameron combined for 21 first half points, while Pippin scored all 15 of her points in the second half as tournament host Siloam Springs defeated Pine Bluff 52-34 at Panther Activity Center.
The Lady Panthers, who were the No. 3 seed out of the Central, opened up a double-digit lead in the first quarter. Pine Bluff, the 6A-South No. 3 seed, didn't threaten the rest of the way.
Siloam Springs head coach Tim Rippy said being able to stay at home this past week while other teams dealt with travel and weather issues worked to the Lady Panthers' advantage in the opening game.
"It's a huge benefit being here and not having to mess with the travel," Rippy said. "The kids have been mentally focused and have prepared well. If you can't get motivated for the state tournament then you don't need to be here."
Cameron scored three baskets inside as Siloam Springs opened up an early 10-3 lead on the Fillies in the first quarter.
As Pine Bluff (20-9) adjusted its defense to Cameron, Owens heated up from the outside. She hit three 3-pointers and scored all 13 of her points in the first half.
Haley Stewart scored all seven of her points in the first half including a 3-pointer in the final seconds as Siloam Springs led 34-14 at halftime.
"(Siloam Springs) got out really well and played really well," Pine Bluff coach Loy Moore said. "We didn't play well and this time of year when that happens that's the result you're going to get."
Pine Bluff cut Siloam Springs' lead to 34-20 with six straight points to start the second half, but Pippin answered for the Lady Panthers.
After a scoreless first half Pippin, Siloam Springs' leading scorer, scored nine points in the third quarter and added six more in the fourth.
Jasmyn Eckermann and Jada Taylor each scored 13 points to lead Pine Bluff.
Siloam Springs 52, Pine Bluff 34
Siloam Springs 19 15 12 6 -- 52
Pine Bluff 7 7 14 6 -- 34
Siloam Springs (16-11): Pippin 15, Owens 13, Cameron 9, Stewart 7, Jones 2, Gay 2, Torres 2, Cox 2.
Pine Bluff (20-9): Eckermann 13, Taylor 13, Richardson 4, Williams 2, Taylor 1, Miles 1.
Sports on 03/11/2015