2023 King Cotton Classic: Little Rock (Ark.) Central runs past Archbishop Wood (Pa.) in fourth quarter

PINE BLUFF, ARKANSAS. – Both teams put on an outstanding shooting performance, but Central rode a 11-3 run to begin the fourth quarter and took down Archbishop Wood 68-62 in the opening round of the King Cotton Classic.

Luke Moore snagged the lead back for Central with 4:45 remaining in the contest as the Tigers led 55-53 and only built it from there. Moore finished with 20 points, the game's second-leading scorer behind only University of Missouri signee Annor Boateng's 23.

Central shot a very impressive 53% from the field, while the Vikings were not far behind them at 50%. However, each were equally as bad at the free throw line, as AW hit just 62% to Central's 59%.

The Vikings were led by University of Miami signee Jalil Bethea, who had 18 points, while Milan Dean added 17 and Josh Reed 16, as all were key in AW taking a narrow one-point lead into halftime.

Central faces Westminster (Fla.) on Thursday at 8:30 p.m., while AW plays Booker T. Washington (Texas) at 1 p.m.

Scroll down for a game thread with notable moments and quarter updates.

Central 68, Archbishop Wood 62 (FINAL)

FOURTH QUARTER

– Boateng with another dunk, this time a one-handed slam, for his 22nd point. (Central 66-60 | 1:00)

– Reed connects on a two-pointer and timeout is called again. (Central 64-58 | 1:42)

– Moore gets back to the charity stripe for an and one, converts it, but Bethea responds with a three to make put Central's lead back at 4 as a timeout called. (Central 60-56 | 3:56)

– Moore broke a tie and put the Tigers back up 55-53 at 4:45 mark and then two converted free throws gives them a four-point cushion. (Central 57-53 | 4:15)

THIRD QUARTER

– In a series of back-and-forth lead changes, Central takes a narrow advantage into the final stanza following a bucket by Boateng right before the horn. The stellar shooting on both sides has seemingly continued to get better and Boateng leads all scorers with 16. (Central 49-47)

– Luke Moore gets the lead back for the Tigers on a lay in, but a foul on Boateng sends Reed to line and he connects on both to get the lead back for AW. (Archbishop Wood 43-42 | 2:39)

– Time is called nearly halfway through the quarter and the scoring continues following a hot first half from both teams who shot over 45% from the field. (Archbishop Wood 39-38 | 4:22)

SECOND QUARTER

– A three-pointer by Milan Dean in the left corner tied the game at 27 at the 1:30 mark, but Boateng responded with a bucket which in-turn led to an open three by Bethea to give AW its first lead of the game. At halftime, Bethea leads all scorers with 13, while Boateng leads the Tigers with 11. (Archbishop Wood 30-29)

– Two dunks, including a loud slam at the 6:30 mark, by Boateng has headlined the quarter thus far, but the Vikings are heating up and a free throw by Bethea gives him 10 points. (Central 27-24 | 3:00)

FIRST QUARTER

– Annor Boateng lays it in right before the horn to extend Central's lead to eight after a bucket from AW's Josh Reed. Excluding the two from Reed, all of AW's points have come from five-star prospect and University of Miami signee Jalil Bethea. (Central 17-9)

– There is a lid on the rim for Archbishop Wood (1-for-5 from the field), while Central is 0-for-3 early from the charity stripe. AW has also turned it over four times. (Central 8-2 | 4:00)

– Kyle Sutherland | @k_sutherlandAR

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