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GREENSBORO -- Page's junior guard Chevena Pickard led all scorers with 23 points, making 10-of-16 free-throw attempts, in Page's close win over Smith in the first round of the Pizza Hut Invitational on Thursday.

Pickard made two of her 10 free throws with 8.5 seconds left to clinch the win for her second-seeded team.

With a 39-38 lead, Smith junior guard Ashly Dubose fouled Pickard with 33.3 seconds remaining. Pickard connected on one of two free throws to tie.

On the next possession, Smith's Katrina Gibson missed a 3-pointer and Page drove the ball down court. Smith junior forward Lakendra Wilkerson, who scored a team-high 20 points, fouled out as she tried to stop Pickard.

That allowed Pickard to score the game-winning points.

"Chevena had a great game," Page coach Debbie Jones said. "She was knocking down her shot. She was being aggressive on the offensive end."

Both teams were aggressive throughout the game, never allowing the other team to go ahead by more than six points.

The Pirates led 8-7 at the end of the first quarter and started the second period with a 7-0 run. Smith countered with a 8-2 run, triggered by Dubose's up-and-under move for a layout on Page's Portia Oakley. Pickard, as she had done all game, made a free throw to go ahead 17-15.

Then Smith's Katrina Gibson scored two points to tie the game. Page left the quarter with a 21-19 halftime lead.

Page ended up making 13-of-22 free throw attempts. Smith attempted eights free throws, making six. Smith coach Ashton Jeffries used one word to describe the disparity in free throw attempts: "Lopsided."

Page coach Debbie Jones said her focus on offense is driving to the basket for a high percentage shot or foul.

"One of our offenses is that we have to take it to the hole," Jones said. "Once we have an alley we go to the hole. We were a step ahead today."

Jeffries said his team has to play better defense. The Eagles (0-5) commited 14 fouls, five more than the Pirates.

Jones said she appreciated both teams' passion and resiliency.

"Neither team quit," she said. "Both teams wanted it and I thought that was important and the key to success."

Contact Dioni L. Wise at 373-7091 or dioni.wise@news-record.com

Smith (0-5) -- Lakendra Wilkerson 20, Ashly Dubose 7, Cynthia Jones 3, Zhaquondalee Greer 3, Jantilla Street 2, Katrina Gibson 2, Desity Carter.

Page (6-5) -- Chevena Pickard 23, Ashley Fowler 3, Brittany Drew 3, Sylvia Bass 2, Portia Oakley 2, Olivia Seeger 2, Tasia Sweezer 2, Kera Bell 1.