KNIGHTDALE - When the going got tough for the Lady Knights on Friday night, they got tough too, and hung on to defeat West Johnston 52-38 in a game that was closer than the score indicated.

“In the second half, we didn’t value the ball and turned it over too often,” said Knightdale coach Anthony Byrd. “Our turnovers gave them momentum and allowed them to up the tempo.”

The Lady Wildcats (7-11, 3-7 Greater Neuse River 4A) came out of the locker room in the third quarter ready to hunt, outscoring the Knights 12-10 and threatening to turn a comfortable Knightdale lead into a nail biter.

Led by guard Chrajon Frederick, who was her team’s high scorer with 13 points, the Wildcats narrowed Knightdale’s lead to 3 and managed to keep the game close throughout the rest of the game.

When the clock was down to three minutes, Knightdale (7-9, 5-4) regained its footing and surged ahead on the strength of free throw success and a trio of 3-point shots by Lovely Locklear to seal the game with a commanding 14-point margin.

The Wildcats lit up the scoreboard first on a jumper by Avvette Smith, who had five points for the night. Knightdale’s Shacora Cooper answered with a three-point shot, leading her team to a 13-9 margin in the first quarter.

West Johnston turnovers characterized the second quarter. Fouls sent Knightdale players to the free throw line 10 times, where they scored 6 points, half of their total during the entire quarter.

West Johnston visited the foul line four times during a second period punctuated by shouts from both coaches encouraging their teams to slow down. When the teams broke for halftime, Knightdale held onto a 7-point lead.

“This was a big win, and we needed it,” Byrd said. “We have three games coming up. We can take this win and build on it.”

He praised Tenealle Jackson and Lovely Locklear for their efforts.

“Tenealle stepped up her game in the post. This was a big game for her,” Byrd said. “Lovely Locklear scored some big 3s in the third and fourth quarter.”

Wildcat coach Bill Pepicello was philosophical about the loss, and hopeful for the rest of his Wildcats’ season.

“We played hard, but we didn’t make key free throw shots,” he said. “We have got to knock down the foul shots, and we need to play better defense.”

He believes his small team matches up well against Knightdale — a team they played to a 2-point margin in their first meeting this season.

“Anyone is capable of beating anyone else in this conference,” he said.

Both coaches agreed placement in the state playoffs is up for grabs, but it won’t be easy. Byrd was upbeat.

“We have an uphill battle, but I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he said.

Top scorer for Knightdale was Lovely Locklear with 11 points. Shacora Cooper and Ajee Smith scored 10 points apiece, and Tenealle Jackson finished the game with 8 points.

For West Johnston, Chrajon Frederick was the leading scorer with 13 points. Shay King scored 9 points, and Jarmeia Holder contributed 6.