Junior Tyshawn Roberson did everything in his power to give Washington a chance at winning its first 2-A Eastern Carolina Conference game on Friday’s senior night. The Pam Pack got as close as a point, but West Craven managed to close out a 63-58 win.

Roberson was lights out in the second half. Washington trailed by as many as 16 points before finding its way on offense. Senior Thomas Edwards got things moving with a layup. Roberson knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers, and Tayevon Blackledge had a tip in to fuel a run of 11 unanswered points.

Roberson, who had 18 points in the second half, helped Washington narrow West Craven’s lead to 46-39 by the end of the third.

“They wanted to fight for those guys because it’s going to be them next year,” coach Ralph Biggs said. “You come out here and play hard for them for every minute you’re out there. You cheer for them because they’re your teammates and they’ve fought for you all year.”

The junior tandem of Roberson and Uriah Lawrence combined for five quick points to begin the fourth. That brought the Pam Pack within a shot of tying the game for the first time since the middle of the second.

Blackledge hit a layup through contact and finished the 3-point play at the free-throw line to pull within one. Washington stayed within a shot or two of tying it, but couldn’t get any closer.

“Ball movement. We stopped dribbling and started passing,” Biggs said. “It’s hard to keep up the ball when it’s passed through the air. … Defense can’t keep up, and you get open shots.”

Appropriately, the Pam Pack seniors got the ball rolling. Isaiah Blanch drilled a 3 on the first shot of the game. Dreylon Brooks followed that with a quick layup to give Washington a 5-0 edge.

“It felt great. It made me feel like a good coach for starting Isaiah in there,” Biggs said. “He hit that 3 like we wanted. I told him if he’s open then to take the shot. It felt good for the seniors. Like Thomas, he might not have had a great offensive night, but he had a great night floor night for the team.”

The Eagles took little time to get hot from behind the perimeter. Latrell Campbell hit twice from long range to give West Craven its first lead, 8-7 with 2:33 left in the first. Washington called timeout. Jirah Woolard hit a trey of his own, but Laqueze Campbell’s 3 sent West Craven into the second period with a 13-12 advantage.

Washington tied the game twice in the second, but the Eagles got a 3 from Colby Anderson to take a lead they’d preserve for the rest of the game.

The Pam Pack now sets its sights on the ECC tournament. The team is set to meet No. 2 Greene Central in the first round. Even though Washington went 0-12 against league competition, the players are hanging onto hope for an upset. Winning the tournament is the only path to a playoff berth.

“They’ve got nothing to lose. We’re going to go out there and pass it, shoot it, score it, defend,” Biggs said.