WASHINGTON — Having trailed for much of the game, Washington used its domination on the offensive boards to take the lead over South Lenoir in the fourth quarter and held on for the 42-36 win on Wednesday, despite the Blue Devils cutting the Pam Pack’s lead to two points with 30 seconds left in the game.

Washington (6-6, 2-2 2A Eastern Carolina Conference) head coach Ralph Biggs praised both his team’s perseverance in overcoming its slow start and the Pam Pack’s ability to hold off South Lenoir (6-7, 1-3 2A ECC) in the game’s final minutes.

“I think we’re growing as a team,” Biggs said. “I think in the first half we shot 3-for-20, but in the second half we stuck with it. We kept fighting, we kept fighting and then it picked up for us. I think it’s a testament to their mental toughness; and we’re getting stronger as a team.”

After struggling to score 12 points in the first half, Biggs had the Pam Pack go into a press defensively, which he said was to create turnovers to score easy baskets and get his players running and not thinking so much.

The plan worked, as Washington nearly doubled its scoring output with 11 points in the quarter. Daria Jones, who had a game-high 17 points for the Pam Pack, hit two 3-pointers in the period, while also making her mark on defense with a block and steal during the same South Lenoir possession.

Trailing the Blue Devils, 25-23, heading into the fourth, Washington wasted little time to take the lead. The Pam Pack scored six points in the first minute of the quarter, thanks in part to Jones and Briasia Somerville, who both collected offensive rebounds and drew fouls to earn a trip to the free-throw line to make both attempts.

South Lenoir retook the lead, 31-29, with 4:12 left in the game, but Jones answered right back with a midrange jumper. Reagan Ruther, back in the game after sitting due to foul trouble, gave the lead back to Washington with 3:15 left after grabbing an offensive rebound and putting the ball in the basket.

Scoring with 0:30 left to come within two points at 36-34, South Lenoir went into a fullcourt press to try to force a turnover. But Ruther was left all alone under the Blue Devil basket, and the sophomore finished with an easy layup while getting fouled by a desperate South Lenoir defender trying to track back. Ruther sank her free throw to ice the game.

Washington shot poorly at times, but with Ruther and Somerville, who scored seven and five points, respectively, as well as Jones, the Pam Pack have the ability to dominate the boards and extend possessions.

“That’s a big luxury, when you’ve got three girls, between Bri, Reagan and Daria, that crash the boards like that,” Biggs said. “And sometimes it’s like they’re playing catch over the rim, throwing to each other. And when you get two or three shots, eventually you’re going to make one. And that’s what is helping us a lot.”

After taking a break for exams, Washington will return to the court next Friday at conference-leader Kinston.