SALISBURY — It took a couple games, but the Carson girls finally played with the gumption they’ve been searching for.
The Cougars salvaged a 54-46 victory against West Rowan to kick off the final day of the Moir Christmas Classic Friday. Carson claimed fifth place after having an off day Friday.
Alex Allen led Carson with 16 points as one of three Cougars in double figures. Allen was only 4-for-17 from the floor but hit all eight of her free throws. Carson (5-6) jumped out to a 16-4 lead and held off a West squad that hung around for the majority of the game.
“Going into this game we talked about doing things with a purpose,” Carson coach Brooke Misenheimer said. “I felt like we made really good decisions on the offensive end.”
West went on a 13-3 run after falling behind big and Carson led 26-23 at halftime. A Kate Cole jumper at the third-quarter buzzer gave Carson a 38-33 edge.
The Cougars got baskets from Cole and a putback from Gray to stretch its lead to 46-37. Carson took consecutive charges in the final four minutes to nullify what could have been and-one’s for West. Cole scored 14 points and Gray had 13.
West’s Khalia Hall led all scorers with 19. The sophomore guard scored 11 in the first quarter, but was hit with foul trouble later on.
“I thought we played great,” West coach Ashley Poole said. “I was not at all disappointed with the way we played.”
The Falcons (3-9) had a 4-for-19 day at the free throw line. Senior Quanice Miller poured in 15 points.

WEST ROWAN (46) — Hall 19, Q. Miller 15, Martin 5, S. Miller 4, Allesandrini 3, Yow, Cowan, Lovell.
CARSON (54) — Allen 16, Cole 14, Gray 13, Clark 9, VanVoorhis 1, Roberson 1, Huffman, McClary.

W. Rowan 15 8 10 13 — 46
Carson 19 7 12 16 — 54