DUBLIN — West Bladen withstood a late rally by visiting Pender County and took a 58-54 Four County Conference win.

The Knights improved to 10-2 overall, 3-0 in the conference.

West Bladen got an early three-pointer from Scott Bowen and opened a 7-2 lead. But the two teams traded points through the rest of the first quarter and the Knights took a 15-10 lead into the second period.

West Bladen opened the quarter with an 8-5 burst for a 23-15 edge, but the Patriots closed the first half with a 5-4 edge and trailed by 27-20 at halftime.

Pender closed to within 36-31 late in the third quarter, but baskets by John Bowen and Sayaun Dent give the Knights a 43-33 lead going into the fourth frame.

The Patriots began their furious rally early in the quarter and eventually pulled to within 54-52 before Dent canned a pair of free throws to help seal the win.

Dent led West Bladen with 19 points, while Bowen contributed 15 points.