GRAY — Gray-New Gloucester wanted to play an uptempo game and, after a few minutes, it was apparent the Patriots had achieved what they set out to do.

The Patriots’ defense and the scoring of Adam Jensen proved too much for Maranacook as GNG breezed to a 61-36 win in a Western Maine Class B boys basketball tournament preliminary game Tuesday night.

Jensen scored 28 points as the No. 8 Patriots (11-8) advanced to the quarterfinals where they will play top-ranked Greely at 4:45 p.m. Saturday at the Portland Expo.

“The defense was the key,” said GNG coach Tony DiBiase. “We wanted to get in their face and make the game fast. When you do that, the other team can make mistakes.”

And the No. 9 Black Bears (10-9) made their share like three quick turnovers, which put them in a 6-0 hold.

Seth Miller hit a 3-pointer from the side for Maranacook, but the Patriots scored the next seven points, five by Jensen, to put the visitors further in the hole.

Jensen scored 11 in the first quarter as the Patriots led 20-8 after one and 32-14 at halftime.

Nick Bennett sparked the Patriots in the second quarter with back-to-back 3-pointers from the corner after Maranacook opened with two baskets.

“Jensen had a big offensive game, but the other guys contributed,” DiBiase said. “Those 3-pointers by Bennett were big. The overall flow of the game was the key for us. Heath Martell banged inside with their big guy. I thought everyone contributed and did a good job.”

The Patriots will be making their second trip to the quarterfinals in three seasons. Their opponent two years ago — Greely.

“They beat us pretty good two years ago, but we played them tough at our place this season,” senior Ryan Cavallaro said. “We’re excited about getting to the quarterfinals. We’ve been thinking about this all season.”

The Black Bears had their only success going inside to 6-foot-6 sophomore center Kyle Boucher, who scored 17 points.

“We knew we had to contain him,” DiBiase said.

Boucher got loose inside for nine points in the third quarter, but the Patriots were well in control by then.

Martell finished with 12 points as the only other player in double figures for the Patriots.