RUMFORD — When nearby rivals meet, there will usually be a battle, and that’s what transpired when Dirigo and Mountain Valley hooked up in a girls’ basketball game.

Lauren Henderson made two free throws with 1:37 left in overtime as the Cougars rallied back for a 50-49 thrilling triumph over Mountain Valley at Puiia Gymnasium on Monday night.

The first game between the teams had been switched to Dirigo (52-35 win) because of a leaky roof at Mountain Valley, but regardless of the venue, there was going to be plenty of action.

Dirigo(10-6) entered the contest still riding high after having upset No.1 Saint Dom’s last week. Mountain Valley (5-11) needed a win to secure a preliminary playoff game, but still has to play Spruce Mountain and Mt. Abram.

Mountain Valley had taken the lead in overtime on a Katie Puiia free throw. Both teams were unable to capitalize on the others miscues. The Falcons missed five shots and made three turnovers, while Dirigo missed all four shots and had one turnover.

”’We wanted to pressure their guards,” said Henderson, regarding team strategy. ”That would prevent them from getting the ball inside. Plus, we needed to slow it down.”

The teams shared or changed leads 16 times throughout the first three quarters. Mountain Valley went on a 13-4 run to open up a 48-42 lead behind the inside game of  freshman Liza White (15 points, eight rebounds) and Sydney Petrie (13 points, seven rebounds). Dirigo came back on two 3-pointers by Emma Leuders (12 points), including one off the glass at the end of regulation.

”When Emma made her first one, we new we had a chance,” said Henderson, who scored a game-high 16 points, with four treys. Jessica Conant had 11 points and Kelsey Hutchins added six points and one rebound.

“They played for pride,” said Dirigo coach Reggie Weston, whose team is fifth in Heal Points. ”Kelsey was bottled up in the paint and I know she was frustrated, but she helped the team because that opened up the outside shot.”