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By DAVID WOLMAN
Traveler Sports Editor

Whatever it is about playing Wellington, the Arkansas City girls have enjoyed most of its success this season against the Crusaders.

Natalie Stinson scored a game-high 18 points and Natalie Benton added 12 to lead the Bulldogs past Wellington 48-42 Thursday evening at the Mulvane Wildcat Classic.

Ark City advances to Saturday's 3:45 p.m. fifth place game against Clearwater. Wellington will play Campus for seventh place.

The Bulldogs (3-8) are 2-0 against Wellington this season -- 1-7 against other teams. Ark City defeated Wellington 35-23 in the Nov. 30 season opener.

Ark City led by one point after the first quarter and 25-24 at halftime.

After a defensive-minded third quarter, the Bulldogs outscored Wellington 15-11 in the decisive fourth quarter to pull out the win.

J-Lynn Ledesma led Wellington with 16 points. Nicole Stone added 11 points and Sarah Amrein 10 for Wellington.

Ark City 14 11 8 15 -- 48
Wellington 13 11 7 11 -- 42

Ark City -- Stinson 18, Benton 12, Warren 8, Sturd 5, Jordan 4, Hunt 1.
Wellington -- Ledesma 16, Stone 11, Amrein 10, Tucker 2, Biles 2, Becker 1.

Above: Arkansas City senior Natalie Benton (12) fights for a rebound Thursday evening at the Wildcat Classic in Mulvane.