Free-throw shooting is a priority at practice for Colorado Springs Christian School. It became an even higher priority Thursday in the fourth quarter of a close game against The Classical Academy.

But the unbeaten Lions calmly stepped to the line and made 9-of-12 in the final 8 minutes to secure a 40-36 victory.

Check out a slideshow of photos from the game.

“We definitely do a lot of them in practice,” said junior Tiffany Kenney, who made all six of her free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter. “I think early in the season we were having a few more misses, but it’s become a strong point for us.”

The Titans scored five points in less than a minute to draw within 35-31, forcing CSCS coach Lisa Guhl to call a timeout.

“I told them we just had to stay focused and settle down,” Guhl said. “We had gotten a little frustrated and panicky, and we calmed down and let them foul us. Those free throws were key — we shot 70 percent and that was the difference.”

The Pikes Peak 3A-A No. 1 Lions made only one field goal in the final quarter but managed to improve to 8-0.

CSCS’ size and quickness in the paint made it difficult for TCA (6-3) in the first half, but Kaitlin Hanenburg and McKenna Haist’s perimeter play helped the Titans compile an 8-2 run to cut the lead to one in the third quarter.

“Kaitlin is one of our best defenders, and tonight she hit some 3s that we really needed,” coach Paul Campbell said of his senior guard. “We knew we were having trouble down low, so we were going to have to get some shots going.”

Hanenburg hit three 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 15 points, including eight in the third. Haist added 10 points.

Brianne Vande Griend led the Lions with 11 points — six of those coming after offensive rebounds.

“They are big down low, and that hurt us inside,” Campbell said. “(Vande Griend) is just such a physical presence for them and she really picked up those offensive boards.”

Tiffany Kenney, right, of Colorado Springs Christian School takes a swipe at the ball being moved by Bailey Haist of The Classical Academy at Colorado Springs Christian School on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010. Photo by BRYAN OLLER, THE GAZETTE