DIXFIELD – Dirigo boys’ basketball coach Donnie Hebert knows every game counts. His Cougars obviously feel the same way.

A third-quarter outburst led to a 12-0 run keyed by Spenser Berry and Chris Richards as Dirigo relied on a hustling defense in a 46-40 win against Mt. Abram in Mountain Valley Conference action at crowded Defoe Gymnasium Tuesday night.

The Cougars won their second-straight game and earned some valuable Heal Points.

Dirigo (3-5) continued to play inspired ball and made the plays when it needed to maintain the momentum. Berry (10 points, seven rebounds, five steals) and Richards (10 points, nine rebounds, four steals) provided the muscle in the middle frames. The Cougars made 16 of 28 free throws, but missed nine of the last 11 from the charity stripe, which nearly proved disastrous.

“The team played great tonight,” Hebert said. “We did have a little trouble the last four minutes. But the team has shown some composure the last two games and things are coming together. This was a big win against a 5-2 team and we only play them once, so its important to stay ahead of them in the standings.”

Mt. Abram (5-3) pulled to within six points on free throws by Eric Fields and Justin Mac Lean. The Roadrunners were anxious to get back on track, following a loss at Mountain Valley last Friday, but their poor shooting (25 percent) continued. They had an opportunity to get closer, but the Cougars’ Trevis Knapp stole the ball with 45 seconds left in the game.

In the third, Dirigo received a big point swing early on and eventually led 36-19. Roadrunner coach Corey Guilford was whistled for a technical foul and Richards made the shot. Gary Holman sank his two free throws, plus the Cougars received the ball.

“We played a lot of defense tonight,” Berry said. “Plus, we have been playing with more intensity. The turning point came after leading by four at halftime. The coaches told us that we needed to play harder defense.”

Knapp (nine rebounds) scored from inside, Holman buried a jump shot and Mike Holmquist scored at the buzzer.

Mt. Abram scored on a trey by Jordan Norton (12 points).

“A key was settling down,” Hebert said. “We moved the ball around, pounded the ball inside and then back out. Plus, we controlled the boards. Mt. Abram didn’t have many second chances.”

Dirigo shot 50 percent from the floor and made four of five free throws in the third quarter. Josh Daley did a fine job directing traffic from the point.

Mt. Abram committed 21 turnovers.