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Taylorsville • Laughter and joy are contagious, and those two uplifting characteristics infected the Lone Peak Knights at Salt Lake Community College in their upset 57-48 win over West in the first round of the Class 5A girls' basketball tournament Monday.

Winning obviously is more fun, but Lone Peak's play improved when the Knights settled down and started to enjoy the game.

"That was such a fun game to be a part of," Knights coach Nancy Warner said. "I think they found themselves letting the game come to them. When they did, they executed the offense and they found themselves getting layups and easy baskets. And when you're getting those things, you can take a breather. It's not as hard."

The pace was torrid from the second the chutes opened. NASCAR quick.

West, the top-seed from Region 2, used its athleticism to build a 12-point lead early in the first half, but the Knights, the fourth-place qualifier from Region 4, countered with an extended 1-3-1 defense. And although the Knights still capitalized on fast-break opportunities, they worked into a more balanced offense that placed a greater emphasis on establishing sets rather than relying on creativity.

"When we switched our defense, it forced turnovers and got us attacking the basket," Warner said. "I think that defense is what ignited the offense and got us back in the game."

The philosophy led to a 10-1 run to end the first half, but West led 31-28. The Knights eventually surged ahead, 34-33, with 5:23 remaining in the third quarter on two free throws from Emma Clark.

The Knights' cushion ballooned to 42-33 when they embarked on a 24-3 run stretching between the second and third quarters. But behind the superb play of West's Abena Bakenra, who finished with a game-high 24 points on 7-of-14 shooting, the Panthers climbed back to within three, 51-48, with two minutes remaining.

But Savannah Flanary, who finished with a team-high 18 points, was able to ice the game at the line, hitting 9 of 12 attempts from the charity stripe.

Twitter: @trevorphibbs —

Lone Peak 57, West 48

• Lone Peak uses 24-3 run to upset West.

• Savannah Flanary leads the Knights with 18 points, including hitting 9 of 12 free throws.

• Abena Bakenra finishes with a game-high 24 points for the Panthers.