Fayetteville put together a 14-1 run in the first half to pull away from Bentonville, and the Bulldogs prevailed in a game of 6A-West co-leaders in Tiger Arena.

Fayetteville (13-3, 4-0) closed out the first quarter with nine straight points, including a 3-pointer by Bryson Wright with 2 seconds remaining, and owned a 20-10 lead. The Purple'Dogs then followed a Michael Shanks free throw with six straight points and extended their lead to 25-11 after Colin Cooper's bucket with 4:19 before halftime.

Fayetteville led by as much 36-17 on Tamaury Releford's bucket in the opening minute of the third quarter. Bentonville (13-4, 3-1) pulled within 49-40 after a Shanks bucket with 55 seconds left in the third quarter, but Isaiah Releford's bucket before the buzzer put the Bulldogs' lead in double figures for good.

"I think the tempo was the key in the first half," Fayetteville coach Kyle Adams said. "I did a poor job subbing and should have got more kids in to get us rested. I think Collin and Isaiah got a little tired in the second half.

"You come in here and play a great team like Bentonville and have a chance to win -- not just win but win by 10 -- we'll take that any time."

Tamaury Releford had 13 of his 15 points in the third quarter to lead Fayetteville while Cooper and Isaiah Releford added 11 apiece. Shanks had 14 and Brayden Freeman 12 for Bentonville, which had a six-game win streak snapped.

Fayetteville's win coupled with Rogers' win over Springdale gave the Purple Bulldogs sole possession of first place in the league.

Fayetteville^20^12^19^5^--^56

Bentonville^10^7^23^4^--^44

Fayetteville (13-3, 4-0): T. Releford 15, Cooper 11, I. Releford 11, Garrett 7, Bowers 6, Wright 5, A. Releford 1.

Bentonville (13-4, 3-1): Shanks 14, Freeman 12, Deffenbaugh 8, Price 5, Smith 3, Pankau 2.