SACO — It was exactly the type of win the Thornton Academy girls basketball team needed.

A night after a deflating loss to Scarborough and right before the toughest part of their schedule, the Golden Trojans earned a solid victory over Kennebunk on Saturday afternoon at Linnell Gym, beating the Rams 48-33.

The win lifted Thornton to 5-3 this season, while the Rams dropped to 0-9.

Before Saturday, the Trojans had lost three of their previous four games, losing to Massabesic, Windham and Scarborough. Starting on Tuesday, the Trojans will hit the most difficult part of their schedule, a week that involves playing Marshwood, McAuley and Sanford. The schools are ranked No. 2, No. 3 and No. 8 in Western Maine Class A.

Though he said he knows his team is heading toward a tough stretch of games, Thornton Academy head coach Eric Marston pointed out that upsets are possible this year in the SMAA, such as Marshwood’s latest loss to Westbrook on Friday night.

“It’s a very tough league, but anything can happen,” Marston said.

Thornton had to take on Kennebunk a day after losing a 46-32 battle with No. 1 ranked Scarborough on Friday night. The Trojans lost more than momentum in that contest, as leading scorer Meghan Agger suffered an injury, and it’s unknown how long she’ll be out.

Agger, a senior, was leading the Trojans with 14 points per game.

Thornton still thrived in Agger’s absence on Saturday. Three Thornton players scored 10 points or more, with forward Olivia Shaw leading the way with 13 points. Also chipping in offensively was junior forward Tori Lands, who showed a hot shooting hand through much of the second quarter, scoring 11 points. Forward Jordan Agger, sister of Meghan, also scored 10 points.

“It was nice to get back into a rhythm and recover from (the Scarborough game) and have a better game,” Shaw said.

Marston said the Trojans came together as a team on Saturday with Meghan Agger’s absence, a trait he said he’s expected all season.

“That’s our whole philosophy,” Marston said. “They’re a true team. It’s one that doesn’t care who gets credit. They think it’s ”˜we’ that’s scoring, not ”˜me.’ Hopefully there’s more of that going forward.”

The Trojans jumped out to a 17-8 lead in the first quarter. Lands scored eight of her 11 points in the second quarter alone.

Between that and the Thornton defense holding Kennebunk to just four points in the quarter, the Trojans enjoyed a healthy 30-12 lead at halftime.

With the play of Shaw and Jordan Agger, the Trojans kept a consistent 20-point lead throughout much of the second half, before the reserves took over late in the fourth quarter.

Though the Rams lost the contest, it was one of their better offensive performances of the season, Kennebunk coach Rob Sullivan said.

Kennebunk improved its play in the second half, scoring nine points in the third quarter and outscoring the Trojans in the final quarter. Rams’ guard Olivia Snyder led the team with eight points on the day, knocking down two 3-pointers. Janelle Bouchard also pitched in with six points.

Sullivan said he was proud of his team for holding its own against the Trojans ”“ the No. 5 ranked team in Western Maine Class A.

“Our offense improved today,” Sullivan said. “I never question their effort. They come out and respond every day. I couldn’t be prouder of them.” Game time for the Trojans’ contest on Tuesday at Marshwood is scheduled for 7 p.m. Kennebunk travels to Portland on Tuesday, also scheduled for 7 p.m.

— Contact Staff Writer Dave Dyer at 282-1535, Ext. 323.