RUMFORD — The Mountain Valley Falcons did the right thing when they switched gears and stepped up their defensive pressure during a boys’ basketball game Thursday night.

Izaak Mills and Cam Kaubris combined for 28 points and the Falcons remained unbeaten following a 53-27 win against Hall-Dale at Puiia Gymnasium.

Class B Mountain Valley (3-0) started fast by scoring 11-unanswered points to start the first quarter behind a trio of 3-pointers — two by Mills (13 points) and Zachary Radcliffe — which put Hall-Dale in a catch-up mode. The Falcons’ used an up-tempo offense and implemented wholesale substitutions, running the Bulldogs into the ground.

“I think our fast break was to much for Hall-Dale to handle,” said Brandon Milligan, a senior who had never played organized basketball. “Our transition game, from defense to offense, really was working well tonight. We had a lot of steals and fast breaks.”

Mountain Valley forced 32 turnovers, and despite the physical play, only was 3-for-4 from the free-throw line. On several occasions, two or more players dove on the floor to secure loose balls.

“It’s always good to start fast,”Racliffe said. “That’s where we make our living. At the start of the game and again to start the third quarter. The team is just getting our (game) legs underneath us.”

Mountain Valley had taken a 34-20 lead on a Mills trey to start the third quarter. But the Falcons proceeded to miss their next six shots and turned the ball over three times.

Hall-Dale (1-2) cut the deficit to 34-20 with three straight baskets midway through the third quarter. Zac Plummer (eight points) made a reverse layup, and following a Falcon turnover, Sam Shepard (10 points, seven blocks) tipped a shot in. Following another turnover, Plummer buried a jumper from the baseline. The Bulldogs were hindered by cold shooting — 11 of 37 (29 percent) and five of 11 from the charity stripe.

“We wanted to get the ball outside,” Hall-Dale coach Jim Patrick said. “Our spread offense slowed Mountain Valley down, and that’s what we needed to do.”

The Falcons responded quickly with a 6-0 run. Kaubris (15 points, four assists, six steals) scored on a jumper, Jacob Theriault converted off a Radcliffe (four assists, six steals) dish and then Kaubris stole the ball and scored a driving layup for a 40-20 lead to begin the fourth quarter. Isaac Roberts had 10 rebounds.

The Bulldog hurt themselves with 13 turnovers in the fourth quarter.

“I have to credit Jim Patrick,” Mountain Valley coach Rick White said. “He is a good coach and he had (hinted) that they would run with us. But he slowed it into a half-court game and held us under our 72-point average.”

Kaubris scored nine points to give the Falcons a 30-14 edge at halftime.