Arkansas high school girls basketball state tournament recap: Bergman rolls past Salem (3/7/2024)

It is the Panthers' second title in three years

HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS - Bergman used a combination of hot outside shooting in the first half and stifling defense to run past Salelm 53-33 in the Arkansas high school girls basketball state tournament Class 3A finals Thursday afternoon at Bank OZK Arena. Bergman took its second title in three years after finishing undefeated with a title in 2022.

The Panthers, who never trailed, jumped to a 27-17 halftime lead by hitting 40 percent of their three-pointers. Junior Kiersten Lowry, who scored 10 points, hit three in the half. Salem, who shot 20.7 percent for the game, shot 18 percent in the second half. 

Things only got worse for Salem in the third quarter as they could only muster two points and dug a major hole trailing 43-19 heading into the final period. 

Bergman's Taryn Holt led all scorers with 15 points. She also dished out 4 assists and grabbed 6 rebounds. Savannah Ketchum had 12 points and 8 rebounds. 

Salem star Marleigh Sellers led her squad with 12 points, which is about eight under her average. The Bergman defense swarmed her all afternoon and held her to only four points in the second half. 

See live updates below. 

Final: Bergman 56, Salem 33

4th Qtr; Bergman 53-29, 2:39

Bergman senior reserve Paige Hillenburg in the game and promptly hits a three. Bergman hittting 33 percent from beyond the arc. 

4th Qtr; Bergman 50-27, 4:00

We have a time out on the floor and Bergman is four minutes from another state title. 

Salem hits just its second three of the game at the five-minute mark.

4th Qtr; Bergman 45-19, 7:15

Ruby Trammell. is the leading scorer for Bergman but just scores her first field goal of the game. 

End of 3rd: Bergman 43-19

The Panthers grow a large lead thanks to holding Salem to only two points in the quarter. Salem only shooting 13.3 percent from the field for the game. 

3rd Qtr: 37-19, 3:15

Bergman on a 6-0 run and taking control of the game. 

3rd Qtr: Bergman 31-19, 6:10

Bergmam was firing form outside in the first half but now is looking for the 6-1 Ketchum on the first three posessions. She adds her fourth point of the period on a nifty move indise. 

3rd Qtr: Bergman 29-17, 7:30

Bergman goes right to Ketcham inside on its first posession for the easy two. 

Sellers is averaging close to 20 points per game but having trouble with a swarming Bergman defense. 

3rd Qtr:

We are underway. 

Salem leading scorers

*Sellers 8

*Franks 5

*Hall 4

Bergman leading scorers

*Holt 10

*Lowry 9

*Ketchum 4

Halftime team stats:

*Bergman is shooting 40% from three, Salem is 11.1

*Salem is only shooting 18.8% (6-32) from the field.

*Salem leads the rebounding battle, 28-18.

*Salem has 7 turnovers, Bergman 5

Halftime: Bergman 27-17

Salem gets the lead back to single digits but Bergman hits a late hoop in the paint by Savannah Ketchum. 

2nd Qtr: Bergman 25-12, 3:23

Holt hits a three and now has a team-leading 10 points. 

Salem is dominating the glass with 10 offensive rebounds.

2nd Qtr: Bergman 22-12, 3:51

There's a time out on the floor. Both teams quiet offensively over the past few minutes.

2nd Qtr: Bergman 22-12, 6:15

Taryn Holt has seven points and another Bergman three. 

2nd Qtr

Salem currently shooting 16.7 percent. 

End of 1st: Bergman 19-10

Salem having difficulties scoring. Bergman ends. the quarter on a 5-2 run in the final two minutes. 

1st Qtr: Bergman 14-8, 2:40

Salem cut the lead to three, but it is Lowry from three ... again. 

1st Qtr: Bergman 9-3, 4:25

Marleigh Sellers converts on the three-point play to finally put Salem on the board. 

1st Qtr: Bergman 9-0, 4:36

Bergman shoots threes in bunches. Lowry hits another to push the led to nine. 

1st Qtr: Bergman 6-0, 5:30

Brinley Collins and Kiersten Lowry hit back-to-back threes to take the early advantage and Salem has committed two turnovers. 

We are underway. 

Good afternoon. We are almost set for basketball. 

--Nate Olson | nate@scorebooklive.com | @ndosports 

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