Lynn Classical escapes

SCHOOLS

In a matchup of division leaders in the Northeastern Conference, a close contest was expected.

And the teams delivered, as Lynn Classical nearly blew a double-digit fourthquarter lead but made some key plays down the stretch to beat host Danvers, 50-47.

“We survived,” Lynn Classical coach Tom Sawyer said. “We made just enough plays at the end. I’m really proud of our kids. Our point guard (Jeylly Medrano) went down, and the girls picked her up and finished.”

Danvers (12-3, 9-3) cut a 15-point fourth-quarter hole to 40-38 with 5:12 left, but a quick 5-0 run for Lynn Classical (16-1, 12-0) created a 4538 bulge. The Falcons kept attacking, and the senior captain duo of Siobhan Moriarty and Lily Montanari (12 points, 11 rebounds) got hot at the right time, scoring 17 of their combined 26 points in the final frame.

Moriaty’s 3-pointer with 20 seconds to go made it 5047, but Danvers wasn’t able to get another solid look thanks to Lynn Classical’s stifling press and ball pressure.

“I told the kids if we were going to win, we would have to press for 32 minutes,” Sawyer said. “They did, and they never let up.”

The Rams forced 23 turnovers, 16 in the first half as they built a 31-17 lead. Senior captain Paris Wilkey hit three 3-pointers and scored a game-high 18 points.

Boys basketball

In City League action, Yanniel Balbuena reached 1,000 career points to carry South Boston to a 73-72 win against Fenway.

Jarice Harris scored 17 points as Brockton (15-1) clinched the Big Three Conference with a 90-59 rout of New Bedford.

Tyler Holness’ 36 points helped Malden (11-5) cruise past Saugus, 79-40.