AHOSKIE – It came down to the final two minutes of play.

Hertford County High School and Bertie High School met in Northeastern Coastal Conference play and the two rivals put on a show Friday night.

In the end, the home-standing Bears walked away with a 54-49 victory to improve to 3-2 in the league.

The Lady Falcons led 35-32 heading into the final period of play and added to the advantage with Zakkeya Morris hit back-to-back buckets to open the fourth quarter.

Casey Grant stopped the run with a hoop for the Bears, but TyEssence Martin and Morris sandwiched baskets around a Sherniece Futrell hoop to give Bertie a 43-36 lead.

The Bears stormed back, however, as Camaryn Jones scored to spark a 9-0 run that gave the Bears a 45-43 advantage with 2:54 to play.

Jones and Brandi Burden each scored later in the run and Futrell buried a three-pointer.

Bertie, however, had the opportunity to get back into the lead, but made only 3-of-6 at the free throw line, eventually tying the score at 46-all with 2:05 remaining.

Futrell then hit back-to-back scores to give HCHS a 50-46 lead with 1:20 on the clock.

Tenethia Cherry scored to close the Lady Falcons within two, but Hertford County hit four straight from the free throw line – two each by Burden and Grant – as they held on for the win.

Jones paced Hertford County’s attack with 18 points while Futrell added 17 and Burden 13.

Morris was the only Bertie player in double figures with 20. Martin added nine. Chaquasja Veale and Cherry each had seven.

The win moved the Lady Bears to 8-6 overall.