Falcon girls stop Roadrunners

RUMFORD -- Ayla Allen and Brooke Dolloff combined to score 34 points on the inside as the Mountain Valley girls' basketball team cruised to a 76-39 win against Mount Abram at Puiia Gymnasium.

Mountain Valley, ranked seventh Class B, had lost to the Roadrunners in Salem.

“This win can be attributed to three things,” said MV coach Tammy Gallant, regarding the largest offensive-scoring game this season. “Defense, intensity and heart. Ever since the (Mount Abram) game up there, this has been a different team. That was a gut check time for us.”

Mountain Valley scored the first 10 points of the second quarter to open up a 28-13 lead and never looked back. Senior guard Makayla White (10 points) drained a three 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 win, we realized that we are capable of beating any team,” said Allen. “Mount Abram has big girls, especially Miranda Smith (seven points), but we was able to shut her down. Defense wins games and we worked our butts off.”

Mount Abram were shut out until Annie Dexter (seven rebounds) and Mikayla Luce (11 points) scored back-to-back baskets with 4:34 left in first half.

“Mountain Valley beat us in every facet of the game,” said Mt. Abram coach Doug Lisherness.

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,” said White. “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. She played a majority of the second half. On one occasion, Allen stole the ball, dribbled coast-to-coast, and converted a three-point play.

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