AHOSKIE – A change in defense was all that Lawrence Academy’s girls basketball team needed to pull out a win here Saturday in the Doug Cobbs Scholarship Tournament.

Claire Smith (center) looks to put up a shot over two defenders in Friday night’s action. Smith (13 points) was one of three Lawrence players to score double digits in a 56-44 win over Brunswick Academy. Staff Photo by Cal Bryant

With Brunswick Academy’s Avery Griffin holding the hot hand from three-point range (five made treys), Lawrence head coach Shane Tripp switched to a box-and-one defense and Camy Pippins shut down Griffin for the remainder of the game as the Lady Warriors pulled out a 56-44 win.

Griffin, who had a foursome of treys in the first half, hit another long-range bomb to open the third quarter where Brunswick only trailed by two (29-27).

Lawrence then added a bit of offense, using baskets from Jaslene Etheridge, Claire Smith, and Clair Ferebee to edge out to a 35-28 lead.

Despite its woes from the free throw line, Brunswick managed to get to within 37-33 with 1:37 left in the third quarter. But Lawrence answered with a basket each from Ellie Farmer and Ferebee to build a 42-35 lead by the end of the period.

The Lady Warriors, now 2-4 overall, sealed the win thanks to a trifecta from Addie Phelps plus two-point baskets each by Farmer, Etheridge, and Smith to build a double-digit lead (52-40) with 2:16 left in the game.

Farmer got the Lady Warriors off on the right foot, draining two three-pointers in the first quarter. Smith added an old-fashioned three-point play while Pippins, Phelps, and Etheridge each chipped in three points over the opening eight minutes were Lawrence led 18-13.

The Lady Warriors held a 27-21 halftime lead.

Lady Warriors (56)

Ellie Farmer – 16, Claire Smith – 13, Jaslene Etheridge – 11, Addie Phelps – 8, Clair Ferebee – 4, Camy Pippins – 3, Caroline Halstead – 1.

Lady Vikings (44)

Avery Griffin – 15, Olivia Evans – 10, Aubrey Corum – 7, Caylen Jackson – 5, Aylor Collins – 3, Lexi Howerton – 2, Stuart Skea – 2.