ASKEWVILLE – Jeanie Hargrave came off the bench to score a game-high 17 points as Northeast Academy defeated Bethel Christian Academy 52-31 here Friday night.

The win came despite Northeast’s continued struggles at the free throw line where the Lady Eagles shot 38 percent (12-31).

“I think they have to practice other than just at the team practice,” said Northeast head coach Joella Brown.

“They make the shot in practice and then we get to the game and their shot isn’t falling.”

Northeast took an early 17-8 lead in the first quarter.

Hargrave dominated the scoring column, scoring 11 points in those eight minutes.

Bethel found the bucket first when senior Kayla Overton scored a deuce. Two LeAnn Barnes foul shots evened the score.

Northest went ahead after Hargrave took the ball coast-to-coast and Betty Edwards scored a putback.

Mindy Miller sank two foul shots to pull Bethel within two (6-4).

Edwards stole the ball, but missed the shot and Hargrave was there and put back the rebound for two.

Overton scored a putback at the other end but Hargrave scored the next three baskets to extend the Northeast lead to eight (14-6).

Miller’s basket ended Bethel’s drought.

Hargrave sank the second of two free throws and London Harrell hit two down the stretch to give Northeast a nine point lead.

At the beginning of the second period, Barnes grabbed a rebound and kicked the ball out to Brittany Wade who sank it for two. Bethel got back-to-back baskets from Kelli Hoggard and Miller, but then went cold as Northeast scored 13 unanswered points, taking a 32-12 lead at the half.

Coach Paul Ange’s halftime talk had Bethel fired up in the third as they matched Northeast rebound for rebound and point for point.

Both teams scored 12 points and pulled down seven boards in the quarter as Northeast maintained their 20-point advantage (44-24).

“The intensity wasn’t there in the third quarter,” explained Brown.

“We came out flat and they took advantage.”

Northeast went on to claim a 52-31 victory.

Miller led Bethel with 15 points, including the game’s only three.

Hoggard followed with seven points and 13 rebounds.

Northeast (52):

Jeanie Hargrave n 17, B. Wade n 8, L. Coggins n 5, L. Harrell n 5, L. Barnes n 5, B. Edwards n 4, J. Boone n 4, C. Burgess n 2, C. Flythe n 1

Bethel (31):

Mindy Miller n 15, K. Hoggard n 7, K. Overton n 5, M. Simmons n 2, E. Young – 2