ASKEWVILLE – Two starters down didn’t deter the Lady Eagles.

Bethel Christian Academy’s squad was missing a pair of normal starters due to church commitments during Friday’s season-opener, but the Lady Eagles shook that off and knocked off TEACH 38-29.

“We used quite a few of our normal junior varsity players,” Head Coach Ashley Byrum said. “They played well. Taylor Thomas did a good job in her first-ever varsity start and I was pleased with the way Carrie Bracket played on defense.

“Everyone gave us what we needed and everyone played a role,” he said.

The Lady Eagles were led offensively by senior Elizabeth Farmer who poured in 19 points as the only player in double figures. Kelsie Conner added nine for Bethel while Kristen Adams had six and Thomas added three.

The third quarter started with TEACH getting a hoop from Kalyn Hardison to close their deficit to just a pair (22-20).

Bethel responded, however with seven unanswered points. Conner started the spurt with a triple followed by a hoop from Farmer and then two more Conner free throws as Bethel led 29-20.

The visiting squad then sandwiched a pair of scores around an Thomas hoop to close within 31-24, but Farmer scored again as the third quarter closed to send the Eagles into the final period with a 33-24 advantage.

The fourth quarter started with TEACH hitting three of the first four points, but Farmer responded with a hoop of her own and Adams scored late in the contest to secure the victory.

Bethel got out to an early lead and took a 14-6 advantage into the second quarter.

TEACH, however, chipped away at the lead thanks to a bucket by Caroline Gardner.

Farmer responded with a pair of three-pointers around an Adams hoop as the Lady Eagles took a 22-12 advantage.

The visiting squad, however, scored the final six points of the second quarter thanks to a pair of buckets by Jessica Rowe and a hoop by Whitney Rowe.

J. Rowe led TEACH with nine points.

Bethel (1-0) will be back in action Tuesday when they meet Lawrence Academy in the semifinals of the Lt. Nick Brantley Scholarship Tournament. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m. at Ridgecroft School.