MERRY HILL – A 19-1 lead and a player that scores 42 points is usually enough for success.

Such was the case here Thursday night for Lawrence Academy, but just barely. The Lady Warriors had to hold off a furious third quarter rally to defeat Bethel Christian Academy 56-44.

Lawrence appeared ready to roll away with the contest in the early going, getting 13 straight points and 19 of the first 20.

Leighanne Eubanks and Kendall Street were responsible for the first 13 points of the game before Eagle senior Kayla Overton hit 1-of-2 from the free throw line with 3:44 to play in the first period for Bethel’s first score.

Street, who had the monstrous 42-point performance, scored in front of Taylor Davis and Debbie Stotesbury as Lawrence grabbed a 19-1 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Mindy Miller hit a free throw for Bethel with 7:01 to play in the second quarter, but Street scored three unanswered to make it 22-2.

Miller’s free throws were followed by two more buckets from Street that gave Lawrence a commanding 26-4 advantage with 3:11 to play in the second quarter.

Kelli Hoggard, who had an even dozen points for Bethel, finally got the Eagles a basket with 2:50 to play in the first half. She followed that score up with another hoop that made it 26-8 at the half.

Street started the third quarter with a basket, but Bethel began their comeback when Megan Simons hit a free throw before two Hoggard hoops. Overton added a pair of free throws to get Bethel within 28-15.

Street again scored for Lawrence, but Overton buried a triple and Hoggard scored on an offensive rebound to pull Bethel within 30-20.

With the margin still at 10 points, Lawrence went on a 7-1 tear that was sparked by a Davis hoop as they rolled into a 39-23 lead.

Bethel again bounced back with Overton scoring a three-pointer and a free throw to pull the Eagles within 41-27 after three quarters.

Overton scored to open the fourth, getting the Lady Eagles within 41-29, but Lawrence got back-to-back buckets from Street to take a lead from which they never looked back.

“Kendall’s performance speaks for itself,” Lawrence coach Charlie Harden said after the contest. “I can’t say anything about her night that isn’t obvious by reading the stat line n 42 points and 14 rebounds.

“Defensively, I felt like we are continuing to improve,” he said. “I’m proud of the effort.”

Lady Warriors (56): Kendall Street n 42, L. Eubanks n 6, T. Davis n 4, C. Mizell n 2, D. Stotesbury n 2, J. Harden

Lady Eagles (44) Kayla Overton n 17, Mindy Miller n 12, Kelli Hoggard n 12, M. Hill n 2, M. Simons n 1, J. Mizelle, E. Young, L. Marsh, K. Brown