MONMOUTH – The one constant for the Monmouth Academy girls’ basketball team is its defense.

No matter what else happens during a ballgame, the Mustangs can depend on its defensive effort.

So when Monmouth struggled to get momentum in the first half Tuesday evening, it was the defense the Mustangs looked to first.

“Every night, that’s what we pride ourselves on, our defense,” said Monmouth coach Rick Amero. “Offensively, we work hard, but defense has been our thing.”

After battling back from an early deficit, the Mustangs managed to eke out a one-point lead at halftime. During the intermission, the challenge was made to the defense, and the Mustangs answered the call. Monmouth broke the lead open in the third to claim a 51-30 victory over Dirigo. It was the first Monmouth win over the Cougars since a Class C preliminary victory in 1984.

“They told us we needed to step out more on them and give them less looks,” said junior forward Alyssa Morin. “That’s what the coach wanted us to do at halftime. They thought we were giving them too many looks, and they got more time to see coming off screens. We stepped up and moved our feet and had to work harder.”

Monmouth’s efforts paid off as Dirigo struggled to maintain the offensive rhythm it had in the first half. Dirigo shot just 6-for-23 in the second half and couldn’t keep pace with the Mustangs. The Cougars weren’t helped by foul trouble. Nikki Kaulback picked up two quick fouls. Katrina Pulk and Rikki Sinclair were in foul trouble in the second half forcing Dirigo to juggle its lineup.

“They’re very key people,” said Dirigo coach Reggie Weston, whose team built a five-point lead in the first half with open shots around the paint. “You hope that people can come off the bench and help you, and they did, but some of them aren’t quite ready yet. Nikki’s my high scorer by a lot and Rikki is my best defensive player.”

Carrie Jamison led the Cougars (7-7) with 11 while Pulk added eight. Kaulback was held to just four.

“Katie Woodman did a nice job on Nikki Kaulback,” said Amero. “She’s a nice player, and Katie did a nice job on her. She’s been lighting it up.”

The Mustangs (11-2) work on the defensive end sparked its offense as well. Monmouth utilized patience and its post game. Morin had 10 of her 16 points in the third quarter, and Monmouth turned a 15-14 advantage into a 36-21 lead.

“I just have to give props to my guards,” said Morin. “Jill (Armstrong) and Katie (Woodman) do a good job hitting me and seeing when I’m open.”

Jenn Lola also had 16 for the Mustangs while Moe Beaulieu added 12. After shooting 6-for-13 in the first half from the free throw line, Monmouth shot 16-for-22 in the second half, including 10 of its first 11.

“I think the first half we came out with some nerves,” said Morin. “We hadn’t played since Friday. We were a little shaky at first. Once we got into our element, and they got into some foul trouble, it gave us some confidence to pick it up strong.”

Morin and Lola each had three-point plays during a 14-3 run in the third quarter. Morin had nine points during that stretch. The Mustangs preserved the lead with 11 points from the foul line in the fourth.

“We can’t drop our heads,” said Weston. “We still have a chance to get to the playoffs. We may face these teams again. If we can stay with them for a half, maybe we can beat them.”