Texas High's girls started the game cold and never rebounded.
Both the Lady Tigers and Pine Tree entered Friday's game at the Tiger Center unbeaten in district, but it was the Lady Pirates going home happy after an impressive 61-56 victory over THS.
"Anytime we struggle scoring, it has been hard for us to win," Tiger mentor Craig Collvins said. "Our offense goes with our defense. This was a winable game, and my kids battled hard. We just shot the ball poorly from the field and the free throw line."
Pine Tree (10-6, 2-0) led most of the game, converting six treys, five by Ambreenique Williams in the second and third quarters. She finished with 20 points despite sitting out much of the second half.
Marissa Gary contributed in every quarter for the Pirates, finished with a game-high 22 points and 12 rebounds. Gary had three free throws in the final 24 seconds that sealed the victory.
THS (8-10, 1-1) trailed 56-47 with 2:37 left when Unique McBride grabbed an offense rebound and scored. A steal and 3-pointer by Antonia Porter made it 56-52, and Mia Wilson swished two charity shots with 1:51 remaining to make it a two-point margin.
That's when Gary took over with a driving layup and her free throws.
"Free throws will make a difference," Pine Tree coach Robin Herber said in regard to the Tigers' 12 of 28 performance at the line. "I'm just super proud of how all our girls played. Any win is a good win, but definitely one on the road."
Both teams actually started the night cold from the field, but the Pirates never trailed in the first quarter after Gary scored with 4:26 left. Texas High's Maranda Miller rebounded and scored with one second left to make it 8-8 at the first break.
The Pirates outrebounded Texas High 15-10 in those first eight minutes, and 49-36 for the game. Both teams had 20 turnovers.
THS captured the lead momentarily in the second quarter on a short bank shot by Porter, one of two Tigers scoring in double digits with 12 points. Grace Brooks led Texas High's offense with 16 points, 13 in the final two quarters.
Gary's uncontested layup at the buzzer gave Pine Tree a 26-21 cushion at intermission.
A steal and layup by Porter with 3:20 left in the third quarter gave Texas High a 35-34 lead. PT answered with the next six on two of Williams' treys. The Pirates advantage was 44-39 going into the final eight minutes.
In preliminary action, Texas High's junior varsity beat the Pirates, 39-32. Sedaya Finley led the winners with 16 points, while Sherandra Bonner scored 12 for PT.
Pine Tree 8 18 18 17 - 61
Texas High 8 13 18 17 - 56
PT (61): E. Washington 2 0-0 4; Gary 7 7-10 22; T. Washington 3 4-7 10; A. Williams 7 1-3 20; Fuller 1 3-4 5. TOTALS 20 15-24 61.
THS (56): Willis 1 2-6 4; Brooks 5 5-10 16; Porter 5 1-4 12; McBride 3 0-1 6; Wilson 3 3-7 9; Morrison 1 0-0 2; Lloyd 1 1-1 3; Miller 2 0-0 4, TOTALS 21 12-28 56.
3-point goals: PT, Gary, A. Williams 5. THS, Porter, Brooks. Team Fouls: Pine Tree 23, Texas High 18. Fouled Out: PT, T. Washington, Fuller.