RED SPRINGS — The visiting Lady Knights stayed close for much of the first half, and a late rally couldn’t catch Red Springs as the Lady Red Devils earned a 48-42 Three Rivers Conference win on Tuesday.
The loss drops West Bladen to 0-3 overall and 0-2 in the conference.
The two teams battled to a near draw in the first quarter, with Red Springs edging out to a slim 6-5 lead going into the second stanza.
But turnovers hurt the lady Knights through the quarter and allowed the Lady Red Devils to win the period by a 13-8 margin and take a 19-13 advantage into halftime.
Those turnovers continued to plague the Lady Knights in the third quarter and Red Springs opened a 17-point lead before West Bladen managed to whittle it down, trailing by 33-20 going into the fourth frame.
The Lady Knights put things together over the final 8 minutes, erupting for 22 points, and a Chasitty Lacey three-pointer pulled the visitors to within four with 2 minutes left to plat. But Red Springs never gave up the lead, scoring 15 points in the quarter to wrap up the six-point win.
“We played really well in the first quarter (but) were a little careless with the ball in the second and third quarters,” said West Bladen coach Brian McCleney. “I told the girls that, if we continue with the pressure, we could have a chance at the end.”
He said Seniah Johnson and Kasee Singletary played “very well” on the defensive end.
“Overall, the girls are making progress,” he added. “… hopefully we can turn the corner very soon.”
Lacey led the Lady Knights with nine points.