AHOSKIE – It was a battle that went down to the final seconds.

It wasn’t until Kenya Cofield stepped to the free throw line and hit both ends of a 1-plus-1 to give Hertford County a four-point lead with 11 seconds to play that victory was secured.

The Lady Bears rallied from a third-quarter deficit to defeat Northampton County High School n East 50-46 and secure a win in their opening outing of the season.

Trailing 40-39 heading into the final period, Hertford County responded by scoring the first six points of the fourth quarter.

Raqueta Moore had two free throws followed by scores from T’Kiyah Outlaw and Amber Moore to give HCHS a 45-40 lead.

East responded with a hoop from Chaquitta Swain and then got free throws from Swain and Jessica Price to trim the deficit to 46-45 with 1:12 to play.

Moore hit a hoop for HCHS with 55 seconds to play and was answered by a score from Dominique Peoples that made it 48-46, setting up Swain’s free throws.

The game was close throughout the first quarter despite the fact the Lady Bears jumped out to a 9-2 lead behind scores from Cofield and Rasheema Speller.

Northampton answered with a 5-0 run, thanks to a triple from Peoples, to get within 12-9.

HCHS led 14-9 after one quarter thanks to a field goal by Swain.

The Lady Bears got three free throws to open the third quarter and surged ahead 17-9, but the Lady Rams used a 12-4 spurt to get the game back even. On that run, Jalisa Parker and Jalysa Moody both hit three pointers to help tie the score at 25-all.

HCHS led 30-27 at the break thanks to a three-pointer by Bardera Williams.

Northampton-East rallied in the closing minutes of the third quarter with consecutive hoops by Swain, Peoples and Speller to take a 40-38 lead.

Hertford County will be on the road tonight (Tuesday) at Weldon.

Lady Bears (50): Kenya Cofield n 17, Raqueta Moore n 11, R. Speller n 6, B. Williams n 6, A. Moore n 5, J. Hardy n 3, T. Outlaw n 2

Lady Rams (46): Chaquitta Swain n 17, Dominique Peoples n 15, J. Price n 6, J. Parker n 5, J. Moody – 3