BURGAW – Seniors Laikyn Pait and Jerena Purdie combined for 25 points to lead West Bladen’s Lady Knights to a 47-44 Four County Conference girls basketball victory over Pender Wednesday night.
Pait pumped in a trio of baskets in the third period as the Lady Knights edged ahead 38-34. Junior Patience Parker threw in a pair of baskets and a free throw, and seniors Logan Autry and Akira Grimes tossed in a basket each in the quarter.
Purdie worked inside for 2 baskets and 3 free throws in the final quarter, and Autry and Pait hit free throws to preserve the victory. Taylor Marshall scored 3 baskets for Pender in the period, and teammate Ratavia Merritt dropped in 2 more baskets.
Pait led the Lady Knights with 14 points, and Purdie followed with 11 points. Autry and Parker finished with 7 points each.
Merritt topped all scorers with 17 points, and Marshall finished with 14 points for Pender.
Pait fired in 2 baskets and a free throw in the first quarter as the Lady Knights took a 12-9 lead. Purdie battled inside for a basket and 2 free throws, and sophmore Erica McKoy buried a 3-point shot.
Merritt filled up the basket with 8 points in the second period as the Lady Patriots pulled even 23-23 at halftime.
Autry delivered a basket and 2 free throws in the second quarter, sophmore Conner Brisson netted a basket and a free throw, and Parker and Pait tacked on baskets.
The Lady Knights improved to 6-4 in league play and 10-10 overall. West Bladen will host Heide Trask Friday night.
WEST BLADEN (47) – Conner Brisson 3, Erica McKoy 3, Patience Parker 7, Logan Autry 7, Indiyah Williams, Laikyn Pait 14, Jenna Dove, Elizabeth Allbright, Akira Grimes 2, Jerena Purdie 11.