RUMFORD – The Lisbon and Mountain Valley girls’ basketball teams heated things up at Puiia Gymnasium on Thursday.

Lisbon utilized its height advantage as the trio of Christy McAuliffe, Renee Moore and Heather Parry combined for 25 points, and the defense proved to be equally impressive in a 35-32 triumph over Mountain Valley.

The contest proved to be extremely competitive as the lead was tied or changed sides 10 times in the final 12 minutes. Lisbon regained the lead for good on Parry turnaround basket early in the fourth quarter.

Mountain Valley (2-3) tried coming back, and a basket by Taylor Smith (12 points) with 19 seconds provided a chance. The Falcons called a timeout and forced a turnover, but a final shot by Tanya Martin was short.

“We wanted to press full court in the fourth quarter,” Falcons coach Rich Allen said. “They had got by our man-to-man defensively. We have a hard time against a one, and they were pacing it in against us.”

Lisbon (2-4) scored five points to take a 33-28 lead and held on as each team missed opportunities in the stretch run.

“We had switched to a (1-2-2) zone,” Lisbon coach Jake Gentle said. “That forced them to shoot from outside, and they weren’t hitting them.”

The Greyhounds’ Kelly Bourgoin made a free throw and a fast break basket, and Emily Moore made two free throws to build a 35-30 lead. McAuliffe (10 points) and Moore (nine points, eight rebounds) controlled the paint.

“We wanted to protect the ball in the fourth quarter,” Gentle said. “At the same we knew we needed to attack the basket.”

Mountain Valley lacked support as Christine Volkernick, Vanessa Cayer scored seven and five points, respectively. The Falcons had taken a 26-25 lead on a Volkernick hoop at the end of three quarters. The Greyhounds shot 42 percent in the game. They made nine of 16 free throws. A quick 12- run in the first quarter had helped.

Mountain Valley fought back with guard Katlin Drury and tied the score. The Falcons shot 26 percent and had 27 turnovers.

“We are young and struggle with pressure,” Allen said, referring to over 25 turnovers in each of two losses. “If we can learn to take care of the ball and limit our turnovers, then we can compete with anyone in the MVC. We dig a hole then end up fighting the rest of the game to catch up. The positive through it all is the girls show a will to win and do not stop playing hard the whole game.”

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