RUMFORD — It has taken time and energy, but the Mountain Valley boys’ basketball team is putting together a solid season, and a tournament berth awaits.

Shooting and defense were in late-season form Thursday. Senior guard Tom Marshall scored a game high 17 points, including five 3-pointers, and Caleb Gauvin added 15 in a solid 73-43 win over Oak Hill at toasty Puiia Gymnasium.

Mountain Valley (7-8) also scored 75 in its previous game against fast-paced Oak Hill. The Falcons drained a season-high eight treys from beyond the arc in the rematch.

“Making eight 3-pointers was the difference against them this time,” Mountain Valley coach Tom Danylik said. ”They started out in a zone (defense), and we really didn’t begin rebounding well until the second and third quarters. But the kids executed tonight and played defense. That’s all that I can ask for.”

A strong second quarter was enough for Mountain Valley to take full control.

Brad Marshall opened with a basket off an offensive rebound. Andrew Cote (11 points) added a hoop, and Curtis Steele fought for a rebound and scored for a 26-15 lead.

The Falcons scored 13 of the final 17 points to take a commanding 38-19 lead into the locker room.

Gauvin, who scored 34 points in the first game against Oak Hill, started the run with a conventional 3-point play. Brad Marshall stepped back and buried a trey. Cote put back an offensive rebound and Gauvin (eight rebounds) scored off his missed shot.

“The fast start really helped us,” Brad Marshall, who had eight points and five rebounds, said. “A good team can not be flat. Coach has been stressing rebounds and that (aspect) of the game is so important.”

Oak Hill (3-13) was limited to one shot on several occasions and hindered itself with 32 percent shooting. Dalton Therrien led the Raiders with 16 points.

Tom Marshall squelched any Raiders’ comeback hopes with a pair of treys. Twin brother Brad then stole the ball and went coast-to-coast. Gauvin and exchange student Eduardo Esteban each scored off steals for a 55-25 lead.

Evan Boston drained three consecutive treys to end the third quarter for Oak Hill.

“Our team defense was key against them this time,” Tom Marshall said. “We knew that they play a zone and they really run with the ball. We needed to limit their shots.”

Mountain Valley jumped out with four 3-pointers — two by Tom Marshall, one each from Gauvin and Kyle Farrar — to lead 19-8 after the first quarter.

The Falcons shot 48 percent, made 11 of 19 free throws and had 16 turnovers.