CARY - Solid free-throw shooting down the stretch by Kirsty Siller and Toni Lippman gave East Wake Academy a 37-36 win against Phoenix of Raleigh Charter in a nonconference game at Cary Academy on Nov. 22.

With multiple lead changes in a game that came down to the final shot, the fans were treated to a real nail-biter.

The score was tied at 12 after the first quarter and the second quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with the lead changing hands several times before the Eagles pushed ahead for a 3-point lead at the half.

The intensity resumed at the start of the third, and after another quarter full of lead changes the Eagles managed to cling to a 1-point lead.

With key players from both teams fouled out, free throws proved to be the difference in the fourth quarter.

"Down two points with a minute to play, our ladies had to really dig deep to pull this one out, especially since senior point guard Maylynn Hall and junior center Ashleigh Pickett had fouled out," Eagle coach Maurice Lock said. "We played tenacious defense and rebounded well in the final moments of the game, while senior guard Kirsty Siller and sophomore Toni Lippman hit three key free throws to go up by one with 13 seconds in the game."

Ashleigh Pickett scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Eagles. Hall added 6 points and 6 steals while senior forward Gracie Barham tallied 6 points and 10 rebounds. The 1-point win marked the Eagles' fourth win in four days. Lock said that's led to a boost in confidence.

"Our confidence is increasing by the game as we are beginning to see our potential," Lock said. "I am so proud of these ladies and the fight they showed today. They're a great group, very humble and I love them."