KNIGHTDALE - The Lady Knights maintained a working lead throughout the third and fourth quarters of Friday night's game against Smithfield-Selma en route to a 55-48 conference win.

Lady Spartan Erica Strahin's old-fashioned three-point play brought the visiting team back to within 5, 50-45, with 42 seconds left in the game, and the Spartans trailed a mere 4 points with 33 second left.

But after Cana Marriott hit two free throws, the Spartans lost their chance for a comeback. Syerra Troutman was fouled with 11 seconds to play and missed both her free throws, but Smithfield-Selma bobbled its inbound pass and Lady Knight Ashley Burwell scooped it up and dished it to Tessa Lumpkin for the final 2 points of the game.

Knightdale coach Anissa Little said it was a good win since the Lady Spartans played as closely as they did throughout the game.

"They shoot free throws really well, and we kept fouling," Little said after the game. "On the other end, we missed 15 free throws. We've got to cut down on the fouls."

Protecting home turf in a close conference win was a lesson learned the Knights can carry into the final round of conference games, according to Little.

"We know who we have to beat - Smithfield-Selma is one of them - and we have," she said.

With the win - the second this season over SSS - Knightdale advanced to 5-11 overall, 4-3 in the conference. Other conference wins include West Johnston and Harnett Central.

The team traveled to Southeast Raleigh yesterday (Tuesday) to face the Lady Bulldogs, and returns home to host Garner Friday night at 6 p.m.

KHS - 13-19-8-15-55

SSS - 10-14-9-15-48

Knightdale 55

Amber Wright 16, Cana Marriott 11, Ashley Burwell 9, Samidyah Kearney 6, Syerra Troutman 5, Alexis Steward 4, Tessa Lumpkin 2, Shakara Greaves 2.

Smithfield-Selma 48

Tori Kearney 22, Danielle Lee 8, Breanna Chapel 6, Danielle Speight 5, Erica Strahin 4, Diona Lewis 3.