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GREENSBORO -- Grimsley came from behind in both the third and fourth quarters to keep its playoff hopes alive with a 41-38 win over Page in the first round of the Metro 4-A Conference girls basketball tournament Tuesday night at Page.

Trailing by 13 points early in the third quarter, the Whirlies came back and eventually claimed the lead. When the Pirates took the lead with under two minutes to play, Grimsley once again showed its resilency, closing the game with 7-0 run to claim the win.

"I told them at halftime that everything we did was working," Grimsley coach Hank Bullard said. "It was all about heart. Susan Rich had seven rebounds from her guard spot. That's heart."

The fifth-seeded Whirlies, who have to win the tournament to make the playoffs, were sparked by their backcourt combination of Tiana Bowden and Denika Harden. Bowden scored a game-high 14 points and Harden added 11, including the go-ahead layup.

"Tiana has changed roles about three times this year," Bullard said. "She started out as a two guard, but we needed her to handle the ball and drive to the basket. But we also need her running the show. That is hard to do at any level."

With the Whirlies trailing 26-13 early in the third quarter, Bowden scored seven points and Harden added four points and they closed the quarter with an 18-4 run. That gave the Whirlies a 31-30 lead going into the fourth quarter.

But the Grimsley couldn't maintain the momentum. Page slowed them down by going to a zone defense and the Whirlies missed two quick shots. The Pirates couldn't take advantage right away, but Chevena Pickard then scored Page's next eight points. That gave the Pirates a 38-34 lead with less than two minutes to play.

But the Whirlies weren't done yet. Bowden hit three free throws to move the Whirlies within a point of the Pirates. After a scramble for a loose ball, the Whirlies ended up with the ball and Harden got in front of everybody on the break and scored a layup with 18 seconds to play.

"It's been four good games (against Page)," Bullard said. "It always comes down to one bounce either way."

Page, the No. 4 seed in the tournament, will make the playoffs unless the Whirlies go on to claim the tournament title.

"We stopped attacking the basket," Page coach Debbie Jones said. "But our free throw shooting killed us tonight. We were 1-for-7 from the free throw line."

Jones said the game was an example of how her team has been all season long. She said consistency has been an issue and it plagued them again in the loss to the Whirlies.

"It's been a roller-coaster ride," Jones said. "They really have the potential to be a very good basketball team. We just don't know which team is going to come ready to play."

The Whirlies advance to face No. 1 seed Northwest Guilford in the second round on Thursday night.

Grimsley (9-15) -- Tiana Bowden 14, Denika Harden 11, Ashley Lee 9, Roxanne Henshall 4, Susan Rich 3.

Page (11-13) -- Kera Bell 10, Chevena Pickard 9, Ashley Fowler 6, Brittany Drew 4 Portia Oakley 4, Tasia Sweezer 3, Sarah Long 2.