RUMFORD — Rest assured, when Dirigo and Mountain Valley square off, expect the unexpected.

Senior Ayla Allen scored 21 points and was inspired by the Falcons’ defensive effort down the stretch for a thrilling 48-46 triumph for Mountain Valley against Dirigo on Monday night at Puiia Gymnasium.

Dirigo and Mountain Valley, which split last season, have each returned a wealth of experience and have high expectations in the Mountain Valley Conference.

This contest went right down to the wire.

Dirigo (1-1) was led by Alyssa Wade, who scored a game-high 24 points. Her shot at the buzzer clanged off the rim.

It was the Cougars who had called strategic time outs late in the fourth quarter to produce numerous opportunities.

“We knew that we needed to get going in the fourth quarter,” Wade said, who buried a 3-pointer to trail 44-43. “We had come back from (double digit) scores on two different times, so we knew it could be done. I just wish I could have lined up better for that final shot.”

Mountain Valley (2-0) established control early and exercised patience to lead 48-43 on a Chrissy Briggs (nine points) runner and an inside basket by Allen with 3:55 left to play.

Dirigo responded with a basket by Kayla Gaudin (six points) and a Wade free throw, with 30 seconds left.

“We knew we needed to come to play with great intensity,” Allen said. “We had worked on a press-breaker in practice because we knew it was coming. These are two equal teams and any time Dirigo and Mountain Valley get together its going to be scrappy and it comes to who wants it most.”

The Falcons main threat was Allen (10 rebounds, five steals, two blocked shots) , but she has a supporting cast. Baskets by Briggs, Katlin Armstrong (eight points) and Makayla White (six points) put the Falcons ahead 42-32 after three quarters.

“Our intensity on defense was great,” Mountain Valley first-year coach Tammy Gallant said. “It gives our offense patience, and we did get leads on them. In the second half, Dirigo was pressuring us, so we needed to cut more diagonally to the basket. Plus, we got our motion-five going, and it allowed Ayla to face the basket underneath.”

Dirigo was able to fastbreak with outlet passes to Ambyr Wilson and to penetrate, with Angela Ronan (eight points, nine rebounds).

Dirigo made five of 16 shots in the fourth quarter and 32 percent in the game.

“We had our chances,” Dirigo coach Reggie Weston said. “Mountain Valley sure was red hot in the first half. But, I will say that we need to work on our conditioning.”

The lead was tied or changed sides eight times in the first quarter. MV went on a 9-0 run to take a 25-13 lead, on two baskets by Armstrong, Briggs and White. Each team committed 21 turnovers and combined to make seven of 11 free throws, in the game..