JAY — Spruce Mountain coach Scott Bessey knew the Phoenix’s 10-point lead didn’t guarantee a thing going into the fourth quarter against a run-and-gun team like Maranacook on Friday night.

The Black Bears rallied back in the final period to beat Spruce, 60-53.

The Phoenix had a spectacular third quarter, with senior guard Austin Darling making three straight trips to the basket for six of his game-high 17 points. Spruce’s Noah Preble scored seven of his 11 points in that quarter. Defensively, Spruce kept the Black Bears from scoring a basket for nearly five minutes.

But Maranacook turned to its bench and went to work eating away at Spruce’s 46-36 lead in the fourth quarter.

The Black Bears’ defense caused the Phoenix’s offense to sputter for nearly three minutes, allowing Maranacook (5-8) to battle back for and earn the boys’ basketball victory. The win puts the Black Bears in playoff position.

“We played hard, but we played smarter,” Maranacook coach Rob Schmidt said. “I think I am most proud that we never quit. We were down by 10 to a very good team, and to climb back into the game, in this gym, against that team, it is something we can look back on with a lot of pride — and it will take us really far.

“We made some poor decisions early in the third quarter. We talked about coming out and having a good first three minutes in the third, and we didn’t. We did some substituting and I think that may have helped.”

When the Phoenix (11-2) experienced a lapse on offense, the Black Bears’ impressive offense moved to within one point when junior guard Bryan Riley hit a jumper, making it 48-47 in the fourth quarter.

Spruce junior guard Brett Frey went to the foul line and nailed down both shots, putting the Phoenix ahead by three points.

But the Bears’ turning point came when sophomore guard-forward Gavin Towns landed a baseline 3-pointer to tie the game with 2:19 left. Towns’ shot was followed by one of Darling’ three 3-pointers to give the lead back to Spruce with 1:45 remaining in the game.

But that was the last time the Phoenix would score for the evening.

“I am very happy. It was a balanced effort,” Schmidt said. “We didn’t have to rely on one guy. Gavin comes off the bench and hits two gigantic shots. He has been doing that at the JV level and tonight was his time. He contributed very well.”

Maranacook junior Silas Mohlar (13 points) followed Towns’ lead and dropped in another 3-pointer to tie the game 53-53.

The Black Bears then made several appearances at the free-throw line, where Kyle Wilbur (team-high 15 points) scored three points and teammates Hayden Elwell, Riley and Mohlar combined for four points to finish off the Phoenix.

At halftime, the Black Bears held a 22-21 lead.

“I thought it was pretty tight, but I knew we were going to make a run,” Bessey said. “We got out to a lead, but I definitely didn’t think the game was over. I knew they were going to make a run.

“Their half-court trapping causes us problems. It always has, and they went on a run. We smelled blood and we got out by 10. They took a timeout, regrouped and then the turnovers (happened).

“When our guards, our point guard and two wings, combine to have 13 turnovers, it makes it tough. I thought we lost our composure at little bit and paid the price for it. Hopefully, we learn from it.”