KINGSTON – In a defensive battle, Duxbury had just enough to take a gritty Silver Lake squad on the road Friday night.
After squandering a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Dragons rallied and survived with a 40-38 Patriot League victory over the Lakers to snap a three-game losing skid.
“I know my kids come to play every day and they play hard,” said Duxbury coach Brian Keller about the gutsy performance. “We just have to kind of get better at executing some of our stuff.”
With a 32-25 advantage entering the fourth, Duxbury (8-3) went on a field goal drought that let Silver Lake (3-8) back into the contest as the Lakerx started the final frame on a 9-0 run as a layup for senior captain Chloe Lanza made it 34-32 with 5:49 remaining.
“Our bench energy was really good the whole time and everyone on the court worked together,” said Ella Fitzpatrick about coming back after losing the lead in the fourth.
From there, the teams traded baskets and free throws until Ella Fitzpatrick (15 points) made a pair of free throws to push the lead out to 39-36 with 25.3 ticks to go after a free throw for Hailey Flynn (10 points) put the Dragons in front for good at 37-36.
“Yeah, we want (Fitzpatrick) with the ball for free throw time because she is very solid,” said Keller. “Free throw shooting is not our best thing but she goes up there and just lets it rip and doesn’t really overthink.”
The Lakers had a chance to tie the contest in the final seconds, but the shot was strong off the backboards as Duxbury got the rebound. Silver Lake missed its final four shots from the field, including three that could have put them ahead.
“It’s all about your effort with our defense,” Fitzpatrick said. “That’s something our team doesn’t lack. We always try our best.”
In the first quarter, the teams traded five lead changes and two ties with Duxbury leading 11-9 after one thanks to seven from Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick knocked down a pair of threes to start the second to push the lead out to 17-9 before the Lakers used a 7-2 run to end the quarter to make it a 19-16 deficit as senior Kelsie Lanza netted 11 of her team-high 15 in the first half, with eight of those coming in the first. Her field goal in the second was the lone field goal as the Dragons held Silver Lake scoreless from the field for almost a full quarter.
“We pride ourselves in our defense,” said Keller. “That’s our number one thing. We’re always one of the top defensive teams in the league and our kids are athletic. They work hard at it and they kind of understand that part of the game.”
The Dragons will next host North Quincy on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. while Silver Lake will play at Scituate at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
