FARMINGTON — Spruce Mountain hit 10 consecutive free throws in overtime to beat Mt. Blue, 62-50, on Tuesday night in a Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference boys’ basketball game.

Austin Darling led the way in overtime, making six free throws, including the final four of the game. Darling finished with a team-high 24 points.

Mt. Blue (0-8) owned a 31-24 lead at halftime, only to watch as Spruce Mountain (4-4) took control of the game with a fiery half-court defense and tenacious fast break to take a 41-39 lead after three quarters.

“Our game plan was solid,” Spruce Mountain coach Scott Bessey said. “When we execute we are a really good basketball team.”

Execution from the free throw line played a key role in the final outcome for the Phoenix, who converted 19 of 21, drawing fouls with strong penetration drives to the basket. Mt. Blue finished the game making 6 of 9 from the charity stripe.

Strong team defense in the half court throughout the second half proved crucial for Spruce Mountain, which looked to Austin and his brother Andrew Darling (13 points) to use their quickness and speed on the break. The duo were a wrecking crew, along with their teammates, on defense forcing the Cougars into numerous second half mistakes.

“It’s simple, we didn’t take care of the basketball in the second half,” Mt. Blue coach Kevin Main said. “Spruce Mountain played good defense and turnovers made the difference.”

Behind the effective offense of Zack Mittelstadt (game-high 31 points), the Cougars took a 50-46 lead with 4:09 left in regulation.

James Ouellette (14 points) pulled the Phoenix closer hitting a pair of free throws with 1:56 remaining.

An Ouellette steal and fast break led to Austin Darling drawing a foul, on a drive to the basket. Darling stepped to the line and rattled in both shots to knot the game at 50-50 with 40 seconds left.

Mt. Blue called time out to run a final play only to have Devon Hoyt’s shot clank off the rim, sending the game into overtime.

“We’ve had several games were we have missed those shots but I think that experience helped us tonight,” Bessey said. “We are better than our results have been, a win in a tight game is big for us.”

In overtime, the Phoenix were dominate, outscoring Mt. Blue, 12-0 to secure the win.