Doherty is halfway to a short-term goal after beating Rampart 45-42 in their 5A Metro Conference opener at the Spartans' gym Tuesday.

"This is a huge week for us," Doherty senior Hannah Larsen said. "Our major goal is to win the Metro."

Pikes Peak No. 3 Doherty (5-3, 2-0 5A Metro) held serve at home as No. 5 Rampart (3-4, 0-1) missed a pair of potential tying shots in the final 15 seconds. Now the Spartans go to Pine Creek on Friday.

"I think our league has several contenders," Doherty coach Stephanie Leasure said. "Pine Creek will be very tough and Palmer and Air Academy are always good. This was a big win because I think anybody will probably have to go through Rampart to win the league."

The Spartans' balanced attack was led by junior Leah Richardson (11 points, eight rebounds) and sophomore Taylor Simpson (eight points, eight rebounds, five blocks).

"We call Taylor ‘The Eraser' because she blocks so many shots," Larsen said. "Her defense is amazing."

The same could be said for Larsen (six points, five rebounds), who frustrated Rampart with nine steals.

Simpson had back-to-back baskets to stretch Doherty's lead to 42-36 with 5:28 left.

Rams senior Kelsey Bradley, who finished with 12 points, hit four straight free throws before Larsen made it 44-40 with 3:15 to play.

Michelle Brassard's 17-footer pulled Rampart within 44-42 with 35 seconds remaining, but the Rams couldn't score again.

"We had two shots to tie it, two good shots," coach Patrick Simpson said. "Our (24) turnovers were the problem."

Senior Kristen Brassard (11 points, seven rebounds) netted three 3-pointers in the first half while senior Nikki Kinzer (10 points, 13 rebounds) scored eight in the first quarter. Both were scoreless in the second half.