But once the 5-8 junior started missing a few, it was only a matter of time before quicker R.J. Reynolds flew past the War Eagles in a Friday night 4A Central Piedmont Conference contest at the Davie gym.

The Demons (10-6, 3-1 CPC) won going away 59-42, holding Davie to 20 points over the last three quarters, after surrendering 22 quick ones — 10 on five difficult shots by Michael — in the first quarter. Davie shot a blistering 9-for-14 in the opening quarter.

“Davie was prepared. They just executed so well early,” said Reynolds coach Jeff Faullin. “And Michael, she was great.”

Davie (7-12, 1-3) led in a hurry 8-2 and by 22-14 as the game moved to the second quarter. But the game turned around in the second when War Eagle point guard Tina Harkness sat down after picking up a couple of personal fouls.

You could almost hear the wheels of Davie’s offense grinding to a halt over the next five minutes. That enabled Reynolds to chip away and trim its deficit to a workable 28-26 by halftime.

The Demons tied the game for the first time when Kim McMillian cruised in for a layup early in the third quarter, then grabbed their first lead at 30-28 when McMillian swooped in for two more a few seconds later. Davie wouldn’t lead again.

McMillian, who has relatives who live in Salisbury, tormented the War Eagles all night with her speed. She scored 24 points, with most of them coming on fantastic finishes off her own steals.

“We put her at the top of our 1-3-1 zone and she causes problems for people,” said Faullin. “She’s got long arms and a lot of speed. That enables her to get plenty of easy baskets.”

The other half of a deadly 1-2 Reynolds punch was do-everything Rachel Stockdale. Stockdale ran the show, scored 19 points, sank the game’s only two 3-pointers and even banged inside for double-figure rebounds.

“Believe it or not, it’s really the rebounds that we need from Rachel most,” said Faullin. “She was a monster on the boards tonight.”

Davie was still in the game, down 42-37, when McMillian went on a clinching tear early in the fourth quarter.

She stole the ball and scored, stole the ball again and fed Bridget Webb for an easy shot, then drove the length of the floor for a layup. She personally accounted for six points in 52 seconds, and the Demons suddenly had an 11-point lead with 6:32 remaining. As hard as it was for Davie to put up points, the game was all but over.

Reynolds’ rugged defense down the stretch took its toll on weary War Eagle legs and the Demons finished the game on a relentless 20-5 rampage.

Michael finished with 16 points for the War Eagles, while Harkness added 13.

Outside of McMillian and Stockdale, who combined for 73 percent of their team’s points, none of the Demons scored more than five.

Reynolds will visit South Rowan for the first time on Monday. Carol Cozart’s Davie team can look forward to a couple of games this coming week against cellar-dwelling West Forsyth. The Titans don’t have anyone quite like McMillian and Stockdale.

R.J.REYNOLDS (59) — Webb 5, Stockdale 19, Croustalos 5, Six 1, McMillian 24, Yates 2, Phillips 3.

DAVIE (42) — McDaniel 5, Hamm, Harkness 13, Angell 2, Raynor, Michael 16, Hepler, Williams, Cornatzer, Gajewski, Morton 6, Moore, Merlau.

Reynolds 14 12 16 17 — 59