The Dirigo Cougars overcame a 15-point first quarter deficit to defeat Boothbay Friday night to earn a 68 to 57 victory at Porter Memorial Gymnasium. Boothbay jumped out to a 24-9 lead before Dirigo went on a 17-2 run, tying the game at 26-26 midway in the second quarter.

As the game progessed, Dirigo’s strong defensive play and rebounding took their toll on Boothbay. “We just got beat,”” forward Carter Babcock said. “They beat us on the boards, down the court, and rebounding. They pressed us and we just couldn’t handle it.”

Boothbay is now 1-2 in MVC action.

Babcock led the team in scoring with 22. Other Boothbay scorers were guards Kyle Ames with 13, forward Austin Campbell with 11, forward Graham Bryer with five, and forward Eli Gudroe with one.

Boothbay’s next game is at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19 as the team hosts Lisbon. Dirigo won its first game after losing its previous two.