RUMFORD — There was a lot on the line when Lisbon and the Mountain Valley girls’ basketball teams squared off Saturday at Puiia Gymnasium.

Renee Moore scored a game-high 19 points and was effective at directing the flow as Lisbon held on for a 38-36 victory to snap the Falcons'[ six-game win streak.

The Heal Points up for grabs were enticing between the only Class B teams from the Mountain Valley Conference. Lisbon (11-3) was ranked No.6 and sought to move up, while fifth-ranked Mountain Valley (10-5) appears securely in the playoffs.

Lisbon established control early and took advantage of several uncontested shots when Mountain Valley defenders did not  step forward. The Greyhounds led wire-to-wire.

“The difference in the second half was us making free throws,” Moore said. “This was an intense game, and it was important for us because we are the only Class B teams in the Mountain Valley Conference. I think our performance showed it.”

Lisbon had led 36-29 behind baskets by Alexa Harmon and Moore, and called timeout with 3:41 remaining in the game. The objective was to setup strategy down the stretch, but the play became wide open.

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Mountain Valley point guard Lindsay Gallant (eight points) scored from in the lane. This prompted Lisbon to take the air out of the ball for 31 seconds before turning the ball over. Ayla Allen (12 points, nine rebounds) made the front end of a one-and-one, and Emily Knapp buried a jumper with 24 seconds left to pull the Falcons within 36-34.

“We didn’t box out early on, and Lisbon grabbed a lead,” Mountain Valley coach Rich Allen said. “I told the girls after that if we had played 32 minutes like we did the final four minutes, that we could have won.”

Falcons guard McKenzie Paterson fouled Moore, who made one of two free throws. Moore was nine of 19 from the free throw line in the game. Chelsea Bordeau, Paterson and Allen each fouled out. Gallant scored with three seconds left, but Moore sank a free throw with 1.8 seconds left. Coach Allen screamed for a timeout, but time expired.

“We need to learn to play a full game,” coach Allen said. “Our defense lagged off and was always one step behind. Lisbon led and we were always playing catch up.”

Lisbon jumped in front behind two 3-pointers by Amber Cloutier (eight points) and 11 points by Moore in the first half. The Greyhounds shot 40 shot percent in the first half and committed 13 turnovers in the game.

“We needed to make our free throws down the stretch,” Lisbon coach Jake Gentle said. “Mountain Valley plays some tough defense, and we tried to take the ball away from the Allen girl. We scored off some screens that helped.”

Mountain Valley trailed 16-10 early in the second quarter, but made five of seven shots to stay within striking distance. A trey by Chrissy Briggs pulled the Falcons back to trail 25-19 at halftime.

McKenzie Paterson and Gallant each played solid defense and forced several turnover which gave the Falcons possessions to run their sets. This allowed Gallant (two treys) to penetrate the lane.

Mountain Valley shot 38 percent from the floor and made four of nine free throws.


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