Wells struggled with Maranacook’s pesky defense in a Class B South boys’ basketball quarterfinal game Saturday morning at the Portland Expo.

But the Warriors had no difficulty shooting and rebounding. Maranacook did, and Wells eventually pulled away for a 44-29 rout of the Black Bears.

The Warriors committed 18 turnovers, but also shot 43 percent compared to Maranacook’s 20 percent). Wells also outrebounded the Black Bears (45-17).

“They didn’t have an answer for us inside and we capitalized,” said 6-foot-3 Deandre Woods, who led Wells with 17 points and eight rebounds.

His 6-4 teammate, Cameren Cousins added 13 points and eight rebounds.

“I like my bigs,” Warrior Coach Troy Brown said.

Third-seeded Wells (14-5) advanced to the semifinals for the first time in Brown’s nine years. Wells will play Thursday’s semifinals at the Cross Insurance Arena, against No. 2 Spruce Mountain (16-3).

No. 6 Maranacook finished at 7-12. Silas Mohlar led the Black Bears with nine points, all on 3-pointers.

Two of Mohlar’s shots accounted for six of the Black Bears’ points in the first half, as Wells led 19-9. The lead could have been bigger but Wells lost the ball eight times in the second quarter.

“We have to definitely cut down on turnovers,” Brown said. “I thought we gave the ball away quite a bit. We gave them some extra opportunities.”

But the Black Bears did not take advantage. Maranacook showed poise with its offense – only seven turnovers – but the Black Bears could not operate inside, and they missed open outside shots.

“We should be right in that game,” Maranacook Coach Rob Schmidt. “Our defense was solid. When you hold a team to under 50 …

“But when you shoot 20 percent from the field, you’re not going to be in a lot of games.”

Wells pulled away in the third quarter. Guards Riley Dempsey, Owen Berry and Tyler Dewey helped control the ball better, and the Warriors dominated inside. Maranacook kept missing and fell behind 37-13, heading into the fourth quarter.

Wells and Spruce Mountain met once this year, a Phoenix 59-51 win on Dec. 30.

Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: @KevinThomasPPH