Free throws late in the game contributed to a one-point road conference loss Wednesday night for the Gray Stone Knights men’s basketball team at West Montgomery.

The Warriors outscored Gray Stone 23-17 in the third quarter, including 11-of-16 made free throws. For the game, West Montgomery was 13-of-24 at the line.

Q.J. Drake led West Montgomery (3-1, 1-1 YVC) with 27 points, including 14 in the final period. Drake was also 8-of-10 at the foul line in the fourth.

Terrell Baldwin also reached double figures for the Warriors with 17 points.

Chase Viscomi led four in double figures for the Knights (2-5, 1-2) with 16 points, knocking down three treys in the game. Alex McDow scored nine of his 12 in the second half, while Marshall Overcash and Brennan Bailey each added 10.

Gray Stone had fewer chances at the free-throw line than the host Warriors. For the game, the Knights were 7-of-14 overall at the foul line including 3-of-10 in the second half.

The Knights trailed by one in the final seconds and went to foul West Montgomery out of the press. The foul was called on Gray Stone, but the momentum carried the players into the stands, prompting the referee to call a technical foul.

West Montgomery hit two of four free throws and got possession of the ball, but McDow got the steal and drove the length of the court for a layup as the clock expired.

“We had our opportunities; hopefully we can learn from this and go in a positive direction tonight,” Gray Stone head coach Joel Childrey said.

The Knights host Carolina International on Thursday night and return to conference play hosting South Stanly on Friday.

GS   14 12 15 17    58
WM 11 15 10 23   59

GS – Chase Viscomi 16, Alex McDow 12, Marshall Overcash 10, Brennan Bailey 10, Tuzenew 4, Benard 2, Maness 2, Whitesell 2.
WM – Q.J. Drake 27, Terrell Baldwin 17, Parter 6, Wilson 6, Leake 4.