DIXFIELD

In a battle of two top teams in the Mountain Valley Conference, the Dirigo High School boys had to be ready for anything.

Down the stretch, the Cougars rallied to remain unbeaten.

Strong production across the board and a triple-double from Riley Robinson helped Dirigo surge ahead and retain control in the fourth quarter of a thrilling 58-52 win against Wiscasset at Defoe Gymnasium on Monday.

The physical, fast-paced game also featured Wiscasset big man Ethan James, who recorded a double-double with 30 points and 12 rebounds. On the defensive end, Dirigo’s Gavin Arsenault and Clay Swett drew the assignment against James, and they stood tall in the final frame against the Wolverines center.

The game between the top two teams in Class C South didn’t disappoint. Wiscasset led at the half, and again — 43-42 — after three quarters. It was Robinson, who had 39 points, 12 rebounds and 11 steals, who took over the rest of the way.

“We used a half-court trap (down the stretch),” Dirigo coach Travis Magnusson said. “We also doubled down on James. He is a good player.”

Dirigo (9-0) took the lead for good following a Robinson steal and layup. Swett (13 points, 10 rebounds) put back an offensive rebound and Robinson scored off another steal and made a free throw. Robinson made 12 free throws in game.

Wiscasset trailed 50-44 when James scored twice in the paint. Robinson scored again and the Wolverines’ Kevin Lynch buried a jumper.

“We really hadn’t made many adjustments in the second half because we had played so well in the first half,” Wiscasset coach Dana Lawrence said. “We simply did not handle Dirigo’s pressure very well. They also doubled down on Ethan.”

Wiscasset (8-2) started out on fire and led 16-7, with James scoring 10 points in first quarter. A 3- pointer by Cody Roberts gave Wiscasset a 28-16 lead.

Dirigo, which shot 14 percent in first quarter, scored the final eight points of the second quarter.

Robinson tied former Dirigo standout Aaron Marshall for the record for most points scored at Defoe Gymnasium in a single game.

“We pressured the ball and had great ball movement,” Magnusson said. “We were getting good looks, but the shots just weren’t falling. Riley bailed us out.”

The Cougars went on a 9-0 run in third quarter. Baskets by sophomores Luke Lueders and Cooper Chiasson, followed by a Robinson bunny gave them a lead at 38-37. The Cougars shot 36 percent compared to the Wolverines’ 41 percent from the floor. Each team had 17 turnovers.

The Wolverines will look to end a two-game slide at Carrabec on Thursday at 7 p.m.