Free State freshman Caely Kestan drives through the rim in the second quarter against Lincoln Prep on Saturday at FSHS.

After leading by as many as 16 points in the third quarter, the Free State girls basketball team was clinging to a five-point lead over Lincoln Prep (Mo.) with just over three minutes remaining.

At that point, Free State had fewer attempted shots (three) than turnovers committed in the quarter (six), and it was in desperate need of a spark on offense.

Moments later, Free State senior Madison Piper drilled an open three-pointer for three of her game-high 21 points to seal the win for FSHS. The Firebirds hit four free throws in the final minutes on their way to a 54-42 win on Friday night to open their season at FSHS.

“I think since we’re a pretty young team we kind of got carried away in the heat of the moment,” Piper said. “We weren’t up by that much, and we started thinking we needed to make a great play instead of a smart play.

“A win on the first game is always amazing. I think it really showed what we’re good at and what we need to work on.”

In its first game, FSHS showed its shooting ability. The Firebirds shot well from the field (44 percent) and from the free throw line (78 percent), but their shooting from beyond the arc was the difference in the game.

Behind five made three-pointers from Piper and four from sophomore Sam Lawrence, who chipped in 17 points, the Firebirds shot 69 percent as a team beyond the arc. Piper credited the team’s shooting to point guard Caely Kesten, and said the freshman “played great” in her first varsity game.

“We shot the ball pretty well,” said coach Ted Juneau, who earned his first win at Free State. “We’ve got some weapons out there as shooters.”

The Firebirds (1-0) held the Tigers to just 27 percent shooting. Both FSHS junior Caroline Patton and senior Jaycie Bishop were unable to play, so with the team facing foul trouble, Juneau was forced to switch from a man-to-man defense to a 2-3 zone.

“That defense looked like it was a well-oiled machine,” Juneau said, “but we haven’t worked on it one second (in practice).”

Over the next eight minutes, the Tigers (0-1) shot just 1-for-13 against the Firebirds’ zone defense. Juneau credited his team’s communication on the defensive end, as well junior Cameryn Thomas’ rebounding and energy in the zone, which Juneau said was “as important as anything.”

Meanwhile, Free State carried a 44-33 lead into the fourth quarter after Piper drained a three-pointer to end the third quarter.

But Lincoln was able to get back in the game with its pressure defense, which forced Free State to commit six turnovers in the fourth quarter before Piper sealed the game. Ultimately, Juneau said he was pleased with the way his team performed to open the season.

“It will be a good learning tool,” Juneau said, “and I think what we did should give us some confidence”

Free State will travel to Mill Valley on Friday.

Free State (54)

Madison Piper 7-11 2-2 21, Cameryn Thomas 0-4 2-2 2, Sam Lawrence 4-7 5-6 17, Erin Cushing 0-2 0-0 0, Jaelyn Two-Hearts 0-3 2-2 2, Caely Kesten 5-9 3-6 12. Totals: 16-36 14-18 54.

Lincoln (42)

Kiana Smith 2-3 2-4 6, Sydney Sawyer 4-18 0-0 11, Brionna Budgetts 3-14 2-2 9, Ajanee Bradley 1-4 2-2 5, Mya Lister 0-2 5-6 5, Mikayla Deshazar 3-8 0-3 6. Totals: 13-49 11-17 42.

Free State 17 14 13 10 — 54

Lincoln 15 10 8 9 — 42

Three-point goals: Lincoln 4-15; Free State 9-13 (Lawrence 4, Piper 5) Turnovers: Lincoln 11, Free State 19. Fouled out: Bradley.