SACO ”“ A hot start for Thornton proved to be a big asset for the Trojans, as they had to hold off a rally from the free throw line by Cheverus to secure a 47-42 win at Linnell Gymnasium on Friday night.

Katie McCrum scored 13 points ”“ including 10 in the second half ”“ for the Trojans on a Friday the 13th that proved to be scary for both offenses.

The Thornton defense held the Stags to just one field goal in the first quarter and led 13-4. The Stags closed the gap to 21-19 late in the second quarter before Ashley Howe hit a 3-pointer for Thornton with seven seconds left to give the Trojans a 24-19 halftime lead.

“I think we really did it on the defensive end tonight,” said Thornton head coach Eric Marston. “I think the girls really set the tone on the defensive side of the floor, and didn’t let them have anything easy.”

McCrum took over for Thornton in the third quarter when the Trojans found open shots hard to come by. She only scored four points in the quarter, but her drives to the hoop drew fouls against the Stags that came back to haunt them at the end.

“She’s a gamer. She’s got the heart of a lion, and she made some huge shots when we needed them most,” Marston said of McCrum.

The Thornton lead grew again, to the tune of 33-26 heading into the fourth quarter. But Cheverus began to inch closer as the final quarter elapsed.

Cheverus used a hard-working full-court press to force the Trojans into numerous turnovers. The lead was cut to 41-37 with 3:22 to go, and then to 43-40 with just over two minutes left.

“They’re an excellent team. They switched up defenses on us a few times,” said Marston.

Two free throws by Cheverus’ Jess Willerson ”“ who scored a game-high 23 points ”“ cut the Thornton lead to 43-42 with 1:22 left. But that was as close as the Stags could get. Willerson missed a 3-pointer with 7.5 seconds left and then fouled out 2.5 seconds later. Her nine made free throws in the fourth quarter sparked the Stags’ rally that came up just short.

Thornton senior guard Hannah Murphy sank two free throws with 5.1 seconds to play to seal the victory.

“There’s nothing that makes me happier than seeing that kid do something special like that, and icing the game for us,” Marston said of Murphy, who missed the last two seasons with a knee injury.

The loss was the first this season for the Stags, who now sit at 2-1, as does Thornton.

The Trojans return to action on Tuesday, when they travel to South Portland to take on the Red Riots at 7 p.m.

-Staff Writer Wil Kramlich can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 323 or sports@journaltribune.com. Follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.