BANGOR, Maine- The MDI boys got past a scrappy Belfast Lions team on Friday evening to advance to the semifinals next week, with a 45-35 Class B North quarterfinal final basketball win at the Cross Insurance Center.
Neither team could pull away in the first half, as both teams led by only as many as three points. The game was tied 9-9 after one quarter, and MDI held an 18-17 halftime advantage.
Belfast took their first lead since it was 3-0 on the first possession of the game, when Nolan Woods knocked in a three pointer to make it 24-23 Lions in the third quarter. MDI would score the last six points of the third though, to take their biggest lead at 29-24 headed into the final quarter.
Belfast made one more run in the final eight minutes, cutting the lead to 31-30, but the second ranked Trojans made 7-12 from the foul line in the fourth quarter to survive the seventh seed and claim the quarterfinal win. Overall, MDI shot 14-19 from the line, while Belfast was only 4-10. MDI outrebounded Belfast 28-16.
MDI (16-3), was led by Graham Good who had 13 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Andrew Phelps added eight points and three assists. Aaron Snurkowski and Russell Kropff had six points a piece. Gus Reeves and Riley Swanson added five each, and Derek Collin added a bucket for two.
Belfast, who ends their season at 10-10, was led by Zane Bielenberg who had 16 points, two rebounds, and two assists. Woods added nine points. Dakota Doolan had six points. Garrett Hamlin and Ian Snowdeal added two points a piece. Snowdeal also had seven rebounds.
MDI now advances to play Central (16-3) on Wednesday afternoon at 2:05 in the semifinals. #3 Central knocked off #6 Winslow 49-41 in Fridays first quarterfinal.
