The Bearden Bears basketball squad (Bearden, AR), was outscored 63-54 in Friday's league battle with the visiting Columbia Christian Crusaders (Magnolia, AR)

With the victory, Columbia Christian advances its record to 17-4 on the year. The Crusaders host Taylor (Taylor, AR) to meet the Tigers in a 1A Region 8 battle on Tuesday, January 21. The Tigers enter the battle with a record of 8-5.

The Bears now own a 11-6 record. They put it on the line next when they host Emerson for a 1A Region 8 battle on Tuesday, January 21. Bearden will meet a Pirates squad coming off a 58-51 league loss to Strong (Strong, AR). The Pirates record now stands at 7-12.