RUMFORD — It’s been an up-and-down year for Mountain Valley, but the Falcons showed signs of coming together at the right time Tuesday.

Ayla Allen and Brooke Dolloff combined to score 34 points on the inside and the team continued to play strong defensively, leading to a convincing 76-39 win over Mt. Abram.

The Falcons (7-5), ranked 7th Class B, were looking for redemption after losing to the Roadrunners in Salem earlier this season.

Mountain Valley was still riding high after a 50-47 victory against previously-unbeaten Madison last Friday. The team struggled after winning five of seven to begin the season, but earned a good bundle of Heal Points with that win over the Bulldogs.

“This win can be attributed to three things,” Mountain Valley coach Tammy Gallant said. “Defense, intensity and heart. Ever since the game (in Salem), this has been a different team. That was a gut-check time for us.”

Mountain Valley set things in motion after an evenly-played first quarter by scoring the first 10 points of the second to open up a 28-13 lead. The Falcons never looked back. Senior guard Makayla White (10 points) drained a 3-pointer and then Allen (20 points, nine rebounds, seven steals) took control by scoring seven straight points. The first basket was off a drive, a steal leading to a conventional three-point play and two free throws.

“After the Madison game we realized that we are capable of beating any (team),” Allen said. “Mt. Abram has big girls inside, especially Miranda Smith (seven points), but we were able to shut her down. Defense wins games and we worked our butts off.”

Mt. Abram (7-5), No.6 in Class C, was shut out in the second until Annie Dexter (seven rebounds) and Mikayla Luce (11 points) scored back-to-back baskets with 4:34 remaining. The Roadrunners hurt themselves by missing their first six shots, and committed four turnovers in the second quarter.

“Mountain Valley beat us in every facet of the game,” Mt. Abram coach Doug Lisherness said. “I had told the girls that Mountain Valley is a different team since we faced them at home, so they needed to be ready to match Falcons’ intensity or it was going to be a long night. We obviously didn’t do it.”

Dolloff (14 points, seven rebounds) made two baskets, including a trey at the buzzer, to give the Falcons a 38-21 lead at halftime.

“We had started slow,” White said. “But, (the pace) got fast and the inside game opened up for us in the second quarter.”

The Falcons received a scare when Allen suffered an ankle injury late in the second quarter, but she regrouped during halftime and played a majority of the second half despite an obvious limp.

The Roadrunnerstied the score early on a Beane basket, but Chrissy Briggs (12 points) scored three straight treys as the Falcons led 18-13 after one quarter. The Falcons shot 42 percent and made 14 of 22 free throws, and received strong contributions from Katlin Armstrong, Makenzie Gallant, Brena Brown, Darbi Brown and Addy Gorham.