Beggs went on the road Friday night looking to stack another competitive showing as January play continued, and the Lady Demons delivered a four-quarter battle in a matchup defined by short scoring margins, paced possessions, and steady adjustments on both sides. Preston ultimately held off Beggs 40-35, using an opportunistic final quarter to create just enough separation in a game that stayed tight throughout.

The first quarter swung in Preston’s favor as the Lady Pirates established a 10-4 lead, converting second-chance looks and early possessions at the rim. Beggs answered in the second period with composure and balanced scoring, outscoring Preston 11-8 to trim the deficit to 18-15 at halftime. Neither team allowed the other to dictate long momentum runs, and the game settled into a possession-by-possession pattern where half-court execution mattered.

After the break, Beggs continued to chip away. The Lady Demons outscored Preston 9-6 in the third, closing the margin to a single point entering the final frame. Defensively, Beggs applied disruptive pressure on ball-handlers and challenged passing lanes, slowing Preston’s rhythm and forcing longer trips into the shot clock. On the other end, the Lady Demons found interior touches and short-range opportunities that allowed them to stay within reach.

Preston flipped the game in the fourth with a timely scoring burst, producing 16 points in the final period. While the margin never ballooned, the Lady Pirates took advantage of transition windows and quick counters that created the small cushion they needed. Beggs added 11 in the fourth to stay attached, but Preston’s opportunistic finish secured the five-point result.

Offensively, Beggs leaned on balanced scoring rather than a single primary source. Senior, Kamya Stallings led the effort with 13 points, stacking her production across three quarters and providing shot creation in key stretches. Rylan Wesley delivered seven points, opening the first quarter with all four of Beggs’ opening frame points and adding late scoring in transition. Mylah Williams also contributed seven, supplying interior work and mid-range finishes. Paydon Stallings chipped in six through consistent touches in the second, third and fourth quarters, and Emmabreah Triplett added a bucket in the third to round out the totals.

Preston’s scoring came largely from two steady sources. A. Hurt finished with 14 points while K. Martin produced 13, including seven in the fourth quarter to help close the game. The Lady Pirates’ scoring output reflected a pattern of timely play rather than high-volume runs, capitalizing on windows when Beggs was forced to adjust defensively.

While the road loss moves Beggs to 4-10 on the season, the competitive nature of the contest added another positive layer to January’s trajectory. The Lady Demons defended with energy, found contributions from multiple scorers, and kept possession lengths meaningful on both ends of the floor. Against a Preston team that improved to 6-10 with the win, the scoreboard reflected a tight matchup that never drifted out of reach.

Next up, Beggs returns home to the Demon Dome on January 23 for a matchup against Quinton, with an opportunity to bring together the competitive elements built over the last two weeks and apply them in front of a home crowd. The Lady Demons continue to show the ability to stay in games, and as district play settles into rhythm, their balanced scoring and defensive organization present reasons for optimism as the schedule moves forward.

Preston will remain home for its next contest as well, hosting Kellyville on Jan. 27. The Lady Pirates look forward to defending their earlier-season win over Kellyville as they seek to build momentum through January.