KNIGHTDALE - A shaky start turned into a formality as Knightdale shifted into overdrive to preserve a 64-44 win over the Spartans Friday night.

After taking a 15-11 first quarter lead, Smithfield-Selma (5-12, 1-8) fell subject to the Knights' (9-8, 6-1) depth as it was outscored 20-11 in the second.

Coming out of the halftime break trailing by a recoverable 5 points, Smithfield-Selma coach Dwight Carter said he knew limiting Knightdale's possessions and points in transition would make the difference in a close game and a Knightdale runaway.

"We need to play more of a half-court game," Carter said. "We're much better when we get inside and get those close touches."

The Spartan coach also said he needed to get full use out of his big men, Jamaro Rawlings and Joel Watson.

Knightdale had other plans, and it showed in the opening minute of the final half after Aaron Smith drained a pair of threes to boost his team to a 41-28 lead.

Five minutes into the third the score was 47-30, and by the buzzer at the end of the third the Spartans had been outscored 23- 6.

A frenzy of panic set on Smithfield-Selma in the fourth quarter. Trailing 22 points led to the visitors' forced shots and passes, and a calm Knightdale team took advantage whenever it found an open door.

Knightdale coach Battle Watkins said it wasn't hard preserving a lead once his team got on top, but obtaining that lead took some work.

"I think we needed to knock the rust off a little from the 10-day break for exams," Watkins said. "It was a matter of being patient on offense and putting more pressure on them defensively."

Watkins said the same transition points Carter warned against were a big difference from the second quarter forward.

The Knights were able to get easy baskets and momentum from steals and defensive rebounds - in turn leading to transition points.

"I believe SSS played well offensively in the first half and we tried to take some of those things away in the second," Watkins said.

"Our post players did better fronting their players and our guards kept their guards out of the lane."