Run they did, as the Maranacook Black Bears tore open a close game at the half and went on to defeat the Boothbay Region Seahawks, 81-51, at Porter Memorial Gymnasium, BRHS on Thursday evening, Jan. 4.

Five Maranacook players scored in double figures as they used a swarming half-court defense to produce several Boothbay turnovers, which turned into easy fast-break baskets in the second half.

The Seahawks, now 2-8, kept pace in the first half, trailing by only six points, 36-30, at the break. Senior Finn Harkins scored 15 of his team-high 19 points in the second quarter to keep Boothbay in the game.

And Boothbay trailed by only 10 going into the fourth quarter, 53-43, but a barrage of steals and tough defense on the Seahawks’ two top scorers, Harkins and fellow senior Luke Morley, gave the Black Bears their fifth win (5-1). Maranacook was seeded fifth in Class B North before the game.

Seahawk junior Tyson French scored 15 points (3 three-pointers) and Morley added eight points. All eight of his points were scored in the first quarter.

Scoring for Maranacook were Keagan McClure (20), Wyatt Folsom and Brandon Chilton (16 each), Elijah Freeman (13) and Jack Fontaine (10).

Boothbay next travels to Mountain Valley for an afternoon game (2:30) on Saturday, Jan. 6.