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Since dropping 100 points on Topeka High to open the season, Lawrence High boys basketball coach Chris Davis has been eagerly anticipating an encore shooting performance from his players.

Problem is, the word is out on what the Lions like to do -- shoot a lot of three-pointers. Since 59 three-point attempts Dec. 6 against Topeka, the Lions' game-by-game three-point-attempt total slowly has dwindled.

Friday's total against Olathe Northwest -- 25 -- was a season-low. Lawrence still won, 64-47, but Davis was left wondering when the shooting was going to come around.

"The whole halftime speech tonight was about intensity," Davis said. "We came out very focused, and then we hit shots. That's what we're really trying to build on: Play with intensity, and the offense will happen."

With the win, LHS was credited with its first official victory of the season. The Topeka High game and a win over Kansas City (Mo.) Center were forfeited because Lawrence mistakenly used an ineligible player.

Olathe Northwest, despite remaining winless at 0-8, brought a tough defensive scheme into Friday's game, and it led to early trouble for Lawrence. The Lions (1-7 overall, 1-3 Sunflower League) scored just 25 first-half points, missed all 10 of their three-point attempts and led by only two at the break.

"I think we lost a little bit of focus," Davis said. "They were fighting for their life the way we've been fighting for our life, and at that moment, they wanted it more than we did."

After the Ravens hung around a little longer and tied the score at 27-all early in the third quarter, Lawrence went on a 17-0 run to put away the game.

"I feel pretty good in that I think we played about half the game with the intensity level we need to play with," Davis said. "I think we can build upon that."

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Alex Ayre led the Lions with 15 points. Joe Crane added 13, including three three-pointers.

As a team, Lawrence hit just six threes, another season low.

Regardless, the Lions' losing funk now is done. They will play host to K.C. Wyandotte Tuesday before opening the tough Topeka Invitational Tournament against unbeaten Topeka West Thursday at Topeka High.

It looks to be an agonizing stretch of games, making Friday's victory all the more important.

"We just need to keep taking steps forward," Davis said. "A win's a win, and I'll take that."

Lawrence High's Alex Ayre (32) is mauled by Olathe Northwest's Kirk Matthew while taking a shot. Ayre scored a team-high 15 points in the Lions' first official victory, 64-47, Friday night over Olathe Northwest at LHS.