PORTLAND — In a game that contained over 10 lead changes, the Massabesic Mustangs (10-3) fell to the Deering Rams (12-1) by a score of 70-67 in a Class AA clash of state heavyweights.

In a possible state final preview, Massabesic led by as many as 10 points in the second quarter but fell behind late in the third quarter and couldn’t recover.

The Rams began the game on an 8-0 run holding the Mustangs scoreless for the first 3:12 of the game. Massabesic’s Tyus Sprague-Ripley sank two free throws to finally put the Mustangs on the board.

With 3:36 remaining in the first quarter, Massabesic’s Ryan Gullikson nailed a 3- point shot from the left wing, on an assist from Weston Bergeron, to make the score 8-5. The Mustangs took their first lead with just over one minute remaining in the first quarter. The Rams retook the lead at the end of the first when guard Malik White tipped in an offensive rebound to beat the buzzer, making the score 12-11.

Defensive intensity continued in the second quarter for both teams as the Mustangs began to employ a full-court press to counter the Rams up-tempo play. In the first half, Massabesic had 12 turnovers to the Rams’ 11.

Gullikson and Bergeron scored consecutive baskets to begin the quarter, giving the Mustangs a 15-12 advantage. Massabesic was able to stretch the lead to 26-16 midway through the second quarter, but the Rams would answer.

Deering’s Raffaele Salamone dominated the post scoring two key baskets late in the quarter to keep the Rams in the game. Massabesic would take a 31-30 lead into the halftime break. Gullikson scored 13 of his game-high 26 points in the second period.

The pressure impacted the Mustangs in the third quarter as they turned the ball over five more times. Deering scored the first six points of the second half and also committed no turnovers in the third quarter, which was able to propel them to take the lead. Senior forward Anthony Lobor had four free throws and a layup in the last three minutes of the quarter for the Rams. Lobor finished with a team high 19 points. Deering forward Ben Williams picked up his fourth foul with 1:20 remaining in the third quarter.

“That’s what we were trying to do. We were trying to get them in some foul trouble, I mean that was a part of the plan. It worked,” said Massabesic coach Chris Binette of getting Williams in foul trouble.

There were six lead changes in the quarter and, at the end of the third, Deering led 51-48.

The fourth quarter proved pivotal as the Rams outscored the Mustangs 19-17 to take the three-point victory. Massabesic’s Josh Daigle had a steal and layup with 1:14 remaining in the game narrow the gap to three. After two timeouts by Deering and one by the Mustangs, Deering’s Max Chabot found Malik White for a reverse layup to finalize the score at 70-67. Dawson Renaud and Gullikson both missed shots from beyond the arc in the final five seconds of the game in an attempt to tie the score.

Binette was happy with his team’s effort.

“All of our tough games have come on the road and we are battling. I like where we are right now and we’re playing good basketball,” said Binette. “We were faster than them, we were the faster team. They were gassed and our kids didn’t give up.”

Massabesic will host Class AA South foe South Portland (8-4) on Friday.