After a stout first half of play, the Unaka Lady Rangers topped the North Greene Lady Huskies 52-37 for a Watauga Valley Conference victory in Stoney Creek.

Unaka’s Lexi Garland led the way for the Lady Rangers as she racked up 14 points.

“I have been harder on Lexi here lately,” said Unaka head coach Kenneth Chambers. “She has improved a whole lot, and she wants to be good. We expect a lot out of her. We know she can do it, and I think she is doing wonderful.”

In the first quarter, the Lady Rangers (13-8, 2-3 WVC) worked out to a 12-7 lead heading into the second frame. Unaka’s Madison Ensor connected on a 3-pointer and a layup to propel the Lady Rangers down the first-quarter stretch.

In the opening minutes of the second quarter, the Lady Rangers made five consecutive points with Garland laying one in and Sarah Tipton sinking a three to give Unaka a 17-7 lead. After the Lady Huskies (12-12, 1-4 WVC) made four points to pull within seven, Unaka went on a seven-point run with Garland hitting two foul shots, Unaka freshman Cydney Forney hitting a bucket and Sarah Tipton hitting her second three of the period. In the final four minutes of the first half, the Lady Rangers out paced North Greene 5-2 with Garland hitting a 3-pointer and Forney sinking an easy layup. At the half, the Lady Rangers led 29-13.

In the third quarter, the Lady Huskies found some momentum and outscored Unaka 16-10 to cut the Lady Rangers’ lead to 10-points heading into the final quarter. In the third quarter, Garland recorded five points off a layup and a three, while Katlyn Weaver connected on two buckets for four points.

After a basket from the Lady Huskies to cut Unaka’s lead to 39-31 at the first of the fourth, the Lady Rangers went on a six-point run with Weaver picking up four points and Katlyn Burrow knocking down a three to give Unaka a 44-31 lead with 5:45 left to play. In the final four minutes, Garland made five points to help keep the Lady Huskies at bay.

“They played man for the first half then switched to zone in the middle of third quarter, and it took us a while to calm down and find what was open,” Kenneth Said. “When we finally did, Katlyn Burrow knocked down a couple big shots. We started going inside and we did a good job inside.

“Our posts got into foul trouble again tonight which almost hurt us,” Chambers said. “We have to work on not picking up stupid fouls.”

For Unaka, both Ensor and Katlyn Weaver had eight points a piece, while Burrow and Sarah Tipton both had six.

This Tuesday, the Lady Rangers will host Hampton (11-9, 4-1 WVC).