WESTBROOK — Deering’s boys’ basketball team surrendered its third-highest point total of the season Thursday afternoon.

Afterward, the Rams credited their defense for making the difference in a 77-73 victory.

As counterintuitive as that might sound, Deering forced 11 second-half turnovers, including one with 30 seconds left, and held on for its fourth win in the last five games.

“It was really our defense and hitting free throws at the end,” said Rams senior Remijo Wani, who had 18 points, including 11 from the foul line. “We woke up on defense at the end.”

Deering (6-9) surrendered 21 points in the first quarter – all by senior sharpshooter Tyler Hethcoat, who hit five 3-pointers in the first eight minutes on his way to a 36-point performance. But a late 3 from Nick Langella put the Rams on top, 22-21.

Deering went up by seven in the second quarter, then Westbrook fought back to take the lead before a basket by Max Chikuta gave the Rams a 43-41 edge at halftime.

Chikuta finished with a team-high 21 points.

Deering amped up the defensive intensity in the third quarter, forcing nine turnovers and holding Hethcoat to just two baskets.

“When a shooter is having a game like that, you can’t let him get into rhythm,” said Rams Coach Todd Wing. “We had to be physical with him and not let him get his rhythm, and we did that.”

Westbrook was still within two points after three quarters, as Kolbyn Dunphe (17 points) made a late 3-pointer.

The Blue Blazes tied the game early in the fourth, and after Deering built an eight-point lead on a layup by Titayo Augusto. After a steal, Westbrook roared back again and tied it at 71 on a layup by Hethcoat, with 43 seconds to play. The Rams, though, quickly raced up the floor, and Augusto set up Alex Willings (13 points) for the go-ahead basket.

Then, after an Augusto steal, Wani hit two free throws and soon followed with two more.

“It was a fun game,” said Wani. “It was good to play a close game. We’re used to it by now.”

“Historically, you can throw out the records when we play Westbrook,” Wing added. “It’s always a dogfight and we got just that. It was hectic, but fun.”

The Blue Blazes fell to 5-8, but suggested they’ll be a tough opponent when the tournament begins in a couple weeks.

“We didn’t think we could keep up with them, but we did,” said Westbrook Coach Bryan Hoy. “My guys played great.

“February is when we need to play well. This is just our fourth game where we’ve had everybody playing. We were competitive without them, so I knew we’d be ready to go when we got them back. We’re clicking at the right time.”

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