Improved effort and effectiveness fell just short of victory for the Federal Way girls basketball team on Tuesday at home as it continued its run through the gauntlet of early season showdowns.

With four seconds showing on the scoreboard clock, 5-foot-1 junior guard Kylie Huerta drove the lane and looped a swishing runner in the key over 6-1 Jaleecia Roland for a 60-58 Conqueror lead. Federal Way called time out and rebounded from the side. Darah Huertas-Vining drove quickly up the court, but couldn't get a shot off before the buzzer, resulting in top-ranked and unbeaten Kentwood's 60-58 victory against No. 5 Federal Way in another South Puget Sound League North duel of ranked teams.

The Eagles (0-2 league, 2-2 overall) suffered their second league loss in a row after being ranked No. 1 in Class 4A preseason polls.

After Friday's decisive loss to Auburn Riverside, Federal Way improved its resolve despite the Tuesday loss.

"Kentwood made some great shots," observed Eagle head coach Danny Graham. "Our girls did a great job and I'm proud of them for keeping their composure with the foul situaton. They fought hard. We did what we wanted to do, but that was just a great shot by Huerta."

As TyShanna Burgess worked hard inside in the first quarter for 10 of her team high 14 points, the Eagles' pressure defense attacked to force eight first-quarter turnovers while stampeding to a lead of 13-2 before settling for a 17-8 margin going into the second quarter.

Burgess was also outstanding on the boards as she collected 10 rebounds for the game

After Darah Huertas-Vining scored on a back cutting layup, foul trouble began to plague Federal Way while the Eagles also went into a scoring drought that lasted just more than four minutes. Leading only 19-17, the Eagles retaliated.. Jaleecia Roland sank a free throw to ignite the Federal Way attack. Senior Molly Campbell stole the ball and fed Talia Walton for an inside basket. Walton later followed with a rebound basket to increase the Eagle lead to 24-17.

Kentwood (2-0, 4-0) outscored Federal Way 8-5 to trail only 29-27 at the half. The Conquerors dropped in 11 of 16 charity tosses in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, Kentwood grabbed a 36-31 lead before Federal Way fought back again to lead 42-36. Roland's rebound and putback basket had the Eagles holding a 46-39 margin, but five points from Huerta brought the Conquerors within 46-44 going into the fourth quarter.

With Huerta effectively driving and dishing off to open shooters, Kentwood corralled a 53-48 advantage midway through the final stanza.

Federal Way showed true grit in a final attempt to pull out the win. Huertas-Vining nailed a three-pointer ahead of a Huerta layup. Huertas-Vining drove for a layup and converted a free throw for a three-pointer to draw the fighting Eagles within 55-54. Two Conqueror free throws preceded a pair of Huertas-Vining charity tosses.

Huertas-Vining tied the score at 58-58 on two free throws with 19.5 seconds remaining to set up Huertas' clinching field goal.

In the final analysis, the free throw shooting cost Federal Way dearly. The Eagles sank only 9 of 12 attempts from the line compared to 24 of 34 attempts for Kentwood. In addition, Federal Way was whistled for 23 fouls compared to Kentwood's 12. Burgess fouled out with 2:03 remaining while Walton (12 points and eight rebounds) exited on fouls with 26.6 seconds left.

Huertas-Vining notched 12 points with five assists.

Kentwood's Huerta closed with a game high 27 points while Liz Mills added 15 points-eight in the fourth quarter. Sandy Malovic scored 11 points.