Blaine Dutchik and Stephen Branham combined for 29 points as the Black Diamonds ran their record to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in the league.
Sallisaw got outscored in each of the first two quarters and trailed 28-23 at halftime. The Diamonds responded by going on a 10-2 spurt to grab the lead in the third period.
James Hoover ignited the run with a three-point basket and Branham added five points as Sallisaw went up 33-20. The game was close the rest of the way before the Diamonds sealed their fourth-straight victory by sinking four free throws in the closing seconds.
Dutchik, a senior guard, led all scorers with 17 for Sallisaw. Branham added 12, Mitch Lockhart 10, Levi McInerney six, Hoover five, Jacob Blount three and Tyler Sutherland two.
Poteau, which fell to 2-4 overall, was led by Adam Roll's 13 points and Joey McBride's 10.
SALLISAW 36, POTEAU 33 (G)
The Lady Diamonds continue to get the job done defensively, shutting down Poteau to grab a close win on Friday night.
Poteau became the sixth team to face Sallisaw and be held under 40 points this season as the Lady Diamonds improved to 4-2 overall and 1-0 in the NOAA.
Sallisaw needed the strong defensive performance to overcome a long dry spell offensively. The Lady Diamonds netted just three points in the fourth quarter and went without a field goal for the final nine and half minutes as Poteau rallied from a 14-point deficit.
Sarah Snider led Sallisaw with nine points. Lyndsey Daggs added eight, Ashley Covington seven, Meghan Smith four, Caitlyn Hall three, Heather McCawley two and Candace McNamee two.
Poteau's top scorer was Cheynne McConnell with 14 points, including 12 in the second half.
Sallisaw jumped out to a 12-5 lead in the first quarter as Covington drilled a pair of three-point shots and the Lady Diamonds were up by nine at halftime.
