First Baptist head girls basketball coach Kristi Patton knew her Lady Crusader team would need to play hard and well as a team to have success this season.

Her team received such a test right away and passed despite an injury and a foul out, both to starting Lady Crusaders, for a 29-15 win over visiting Virginia Beach Friends in First Baptist’s season opener Tuesday evening.

The Lady Crusaders jumped out, relatively speaking in the low-scoring game, to a lead right away and remained in front the whole way.

Forward Megan Farmer led the Lady Crusaders with five points and 12 rebounds in the opening period as the Lady Crusaders controlled the rebounding all the way around and were the more physical team around both baskets.

Janna Williams and Caitlin Hankins scored hoops on short jumpers on consecutive trips down the court late in the second period. Four quick points made for a key turning point and helped the Lady Crusaders to a 13-7 halftime lead.

Farmer picked up her fourth foul early in the third period, forcing her to the bench. Anna Carr, a newcomer to the basketball squad but already a starter in her first varsity game, suffered an injury just into the third period and couldn’t play the rest of the way.

With Virginia Beach Friends closing within 17-13, Hannah Fagan made two free throws and Hankins tossed in a shot on the run from 12 feet away, giving First Baptist a 21-13 cushion going to the fourth period.

Julia Jackson got a steal, started a Lady Crusader fast break, then gathered a rebound and scored to finish the play for a 10-point First Baptist lead. Jackson played sparingly in the first three periods but was in the action for most of the last eight minutes as the Lady Crusaders had to use their bench.

Williams canned a 17-foot jumper on the next Lady Crusader possession for a 25-13 lead. Williams finished with six points and eight rebounds.

Fagan, now the starting point guard after being a reserve player last season, led First Baptist with eight points and six steals.

Farmer had seven points and 14 rebounds but fouled out early in the fourth period.

The Lady Crusaders (1-0) look ahead to three games in four days next week, starting Monday evening with a game at Ryan Academy in Virginia Beach.