SMACKOVER — The Bearden Lady Bears won a battle between Ouachita County schools in the 7-2A East district tournament on Wednesday, slipping past the Stephens Lady Roadrunners 42-36 in overtime to qualify for next week’s regional tournament.

The two teams finished regulation play tied at 33-all, but Bearden was able to forge their way past a scrappy Stephens team with some frenzied defense in the last couple of minutes of overtime.

After Sharicia Grandy scored under the basket with 1:40 remaining to give Bearden a 37-36 lead, Stephens missed three chances to tie or reta...