ROYAL CITY - Continuing their improved play of late, the Royal High girls defeated Othello, 44-31, in a non-league basketball game on Tuesday of last week.

The Knights jumped out to a 16-6 lead after one quarter and added a 13-4 second period. They had a big night on the boards with 37 rebounds and shot 38 percent from the field.

Even after leading player Flor Araujo went down with a sprained ankle in the first half, the Knights continued to play well. Araujo left the game with 10 points and four rebounds to her credit.

"We played really well," coach Phil Daubel said. "All of the girls stepped up when Flor went down. Our defensive intensity was great."

One Knight who really improved her game was Kayla Smith. She scored 18 points, pulled in four rebounds and made three steals.

"Kayla Smith had a really good night. She led us tonight," Daubel said.

Jacky Guadarrama scored seven points and corralled seven rebounds. Dory Floren picked off 10 rebounds, and Brittany Hebdon grabbed seven rebounds.

In a SCAC East contest on Friday, the Knights had a slow start and lost 53-39 to River View. They missed all 12 shots from the field in the first quarter to trail 15-2. By the time they warmed up, they were down 41-19.

"We were about to fight back and got within 12 in the fourth quarter but couldn't get closer," Daubel said.