Composure down the fourth quarter stretch run helped the Class 4A fourth-ranked Federal Way girls basketball team hold off No. 2 Lewis and Clark of Spokane 75-72 Tuesday night at Federal Way in the second half of a doubleheader billed as the South Puget Sound League vs. Greater Spokane League Challenge.

"I'm happy the girls kept their composure," said Eagles head coach Danny Graham. "We did give up too many points on defense, so we have some work to do. Lewis and Clark got too many easy shots and we turned the ball over 30 times. We pride ourselves on not giving up easy shots. The other team was in high speed and had good shooters."

Both teams matched each other in speed and intensity until a 70-70 deadlock with 2:15 remaining in the fourth quarter.

At that point, Brittany Barrington spotted up from the corner without hesitation to bury a three-pointer from the corner for a 73-70 Eagle lead with 1:20 remaining.

Lewis and Clark fought back to close within 73-72 when Devynn Galland converted two free throws as part of her game high 22 points with 25.9 seconds left. Talia Walton hit two free throws for Federal Way 15 seconds later, but the Eagles still had to sweat out Megan Bush's long range three-point missile that clanged off the back-rim for LC at the end.

Playing for the first time since her knee surgery, Barrington heeded some advice from big brother Andre who was screaming from the stands behind her.

"My brother was sitting right behind me and he just told me to take it in," recalled the Eagle athlete who put in selected quality minutes for seven points. "I shot it right after he said it. My doctor cleared me to play a few weeks ago. I've been working hard in practice and really felt ready to play."

Seeking retribution from its first round state tournament loss to Federal Way last March, Lewis and Clark (5-2) used balanced scoring and turnover opportunities to grab a 23-19 first quarter lead.

With the Tigers leading 31-25, Darah Huertas-Vining torched a three-point goal to ignite 9-0 scoring salvo as the Eagles moved ahead, 34-31. L & C then used steals and offensive rebounds to score five consecutive points for a 36-34 halftime advantage.

Galland and Daisy Burke fueled the Tigers' tank for a 41-34 lead before Eagle senior Molly Campbell's outside goal ignited a six-point Federal Way surge.

Facing a 44-42 deficit midway through the third quarter, Federal Way countered with 10 consecutive points that began with a Dyesha Belhumeur lay up and ended with Darah Huertas-Vining's three-pont goal. This 52-44 Eagle lead eventually transformed into a 60-51 three quarter margin.

Molly Campbell became a pivotal figure in the early minutes of the fourth quarter. Federal Way led 62-55 before Campbell went to the hoop for an inside goal. Jaleecia Roland stole the ball for an Eagle possession ahead of Campbell's follow shot goal off her own miss from the field.

Leading 66-55 with less than six minutes in regulation, FW turned the ball over 10 times to help the Tigers outscore the Eagles 15-4 and tie the game at 70-70 to set up the game ending drama.

Campbell's rebound basket and Belhumeur's field goal were the only interruptions of three Lewis and Clark scoring runs.
For Campbell, who scored six fourth quarter points and eight second half points en route to her season high 10 points, it was a change of character. Normally content to pass and rebound, she played a more active role on offense.

"We've been practicing going hard to the basket," she happily emoted. "I knew I had to be confident. Coach told me to shoot more."

Huertas-Vining scored 15 points and dished out six assists for Federal Way while teammate TyShawna Burgess wrestled to 13 points and seven rebounds. Walton played a good all-around game on the way to 11 points, five rebounds, five steals and four assists. Belhumeur notched nine points.

Mary Blevins (13) and Burke (11) joined Galland as double figure scorers for the Tigers.

Federal Way (6-2) travels to No. 8 Chiawana this Saturday in Pasco for another nonleague tester.