Franklinton’s Lady Demons used a balanced scoring attack and pressure defense to defeat Pearl River, 77-47, in Friday’s district game at PRHS.

Eight Lady Demons posted at least six points. Amber Carter recorded 12 points with nine rebounds, and Ashley Varnado posted 12 points, six boards and four assists. The Lady Demons posted 36 steals.

Pearl River (9-8, 0-2) got off to a good start. With things tied 10-10 at the 4:15 mark of the first period, the Lady Rebels went on a 5-0 run, as Madison Mumphrey, who scored nine points, drained a 3-pointer and Brooke Guttoso was good for two for a 15-10 lead.

Franklinton’s Denetra Rayford stopped the run with a bucket after she collected one of her five steals. Rayford totaled six points, five steals and four assists.

The margin remained three after the first period with Pearl River up 17-14 after one.

Franklinton (19-1, 2-0) got going in the second, as the Lady Demons’ pressure and trapping defense upped the pace. They outscored the Lady Rebels 24-9 during the second.

Pearl River coach Amanda Arcement said they were playing without point guard Rachel Pyke, who had a concussion. Arcement said her club had trouble breaking the press but said her club competed the entire game.

“I’m proud of the way we played,” Arcement said. “The girls played hard from beginning to end. I’m happy about that.”

FHS’ Hailey Sellers began the period’s scoring with a trey. She filled up the stat sheet, finishing with 11 points, seven assists, six rebounds and five steals. Tyeishia Anders gave the Lady Demons the lead with a 3-pointer, but Pearl River tied things when Tabitha Unbehagen knocked down a trey with 5:31 left. Unbehagen posted 10.

Franklinton then scored five straight. Kierra Williams, who had 13 points, made one of her six steals and that led to Anders’ layup. Anders knocked down another trey.

Pearl River stopped the run when Katelyn Mumphrey found Madison Mumphrey for two. Katelyn Mumphrey totaled six points.

Franklinton responded with the next nine. Williams grabbed an offensive board and got the putback. Cheyenne Fornea split free throws before Chelsea Armand was good for two. She logged seven points and her club led 30-22 with 2:17 left. Carter and Forrea capped the spurt with a layup and jumper respectively to make it 34-22 with 1:34 to go.

Sierra St. Pierre, who led Pearl River with 16 points, made a layup after pulling down an offensive rebound.

Franklinton was up 38-26 at halftime.

Lady Demons’ coach Regina Meyerchick said she’s fortunate to have nine people she can play consistently.

She said they make mistakes in this defense, but she is happy with her team’s play.

“There’s holes everywhere, but we just get after it and try to make more steals than they make layups,” Meyerchick said. “It’s not perfect by any means, but the kids all like each other, they hustle and that’s all I can ask for.”

Franklinton continued its good play in the second half, as the tempo continued to be quick.

They began things with a steal and a layup. Williams made it 42-26 before Carter gave her club a 44-26 advantage. Walker ended the run with a 3-pointer.

Franklinton pushed it to 20 at 57-37, but Pearl River’s Madison Mumphrey put up the period’s final three points with a field goal and then she hit one from the charity stripe. It was 57-40, heading into the fourth.

Franklinton outscored PRHS 20-7 during the final period for the 30-point victory.