In Howland Thursday, Penobscot Valley got 29 points from Senior Elijah Wood, built a double digit lead late in the fourth, and held on to a 65-59 win.
After a moderate pace during the first few minutes, the speed and intensity quickened the rest of the way. The Lynx looked for Senior Cayden Spencer-Thompson early, as he converted 8 of their 14 first quarter points. As would happen all night, Wood went back and forth with him with 6 points of his own, keeping the Howlers within one, 14-13.
In the second, PVHS tightened up their defense and held Mattanawcook to 6 points, while scoring 19 and building a 12 point lead at the break. Wood hit a buzzer beating 3 during this frame.
The teams would match each other’s scores in the 3rd, as the lead remained 12. In the fourth quarter, the Howlers were up front by 15 at times, before the Lynx started getting hot. Max Woodman and Nate Ring each hit a pair of threes, Spencer-Thompson converted on a dunk and an “and-one” 3-point play. A 12 point lead with under 2 minutes quickly dwindled down to 1, thanks to a 28 point quarter for MA.
In the end, the Howlers were able to convert enough layups and free throws to put the game away. Wood scored 10 in the quarter, and Brad McKechnie scored all five of his points in the frame, including and acrobatic “and-one”. Penobscot Valley, who did not take a single foul shot the first 3 quarters, knocked down 10 in the fourth.
PVHS was led by Wood’s 29, while Grant Kidon hit four 3’s en route to 16 points. Sixth-man Alex tash came off the bench and had 12 points. The Howlers improve to 14-2, and host Dexter on Senior night on Saturday.
Mattanawcook drops to 12-3, and at home on Saturday they will look to avenge a loss to Houlton from last week. Spencer-Thompson led the Lynx with 26 points, while Seniors Alex Brown and Woodman each scored nine.
