MERRY HILL – Northeast Academy secured a Tarheel Independent Conference opening win here Tuesday night.

The Lady Eagles’ varsity basketball team topped Lawrence Academy 52-34 to secure the victory.

Ashton Liverman poured in 26 points to lead Northeast to the victory while Kaylen Rose pitched in nine and Hannah Roye added eight. Taylor Cocke contributed seven for Northeast while Mollie Cocke had four and Taylor Morris added three.

Northeast got out to an early 13-8 lead in the first quarter and took a 25-19 lead into the intermission.

The Lady Eagles then put the game away with a 10-4 advantage in the third quarter and secured the win by outscoring Lawrence 17-11 in the final period.

Hayden Thompson led the Lady Warriors with 13 points.

In the junior varsity contest, Northeast claimed a hard-fought 19-18 win over Lawrence.

Madison Bunch led the Lady Eagles with 10 points while Anna Liverman added six. Megan Futrell had two for Northeast and Robyne Barnes added one.

Sydney Brabble paced Lawrence with 14.

Lawrence led the game 4-1 after one period and the contest was tied at 8-all at halftime. The game stayed deadlocked – this time at 14 – after three quarters.

Northeast will be back in action Dec. 17 when they travel to Faith Christian.

Lawrence, meanwhile, hosts Bethel Christian Academy tonight (Thursday) and then welcomes Ridgecroft School on Friday.