WATERBORO — The Massabesic unified basketball team fell to visiting Noble/Marshwood 43-34 on Monday afternoon.

The Mustangs overcame multiple deficits throughout the match, including an eight-point deficit midway through, however the Knight Hawks would piece together a 19-8 run in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

“I was worried because we had not played for about three weeks, I was worried they would be a little rusty” said Massabesic coach Elizabeth Cote. “They bounced right back — they got their rebounds, almost everyone scored … it’s exciting.”

Cote was pleased with her team’s fight as it came from behind to tie the score three times, and even took a brief lead in the fourth quarter, and believed that team chemistry has been key early this season.

“They’re having a blast. Most of them spend the whole day together in school so their chemistry is amazing — they’re all friends and are all friends with each other. You throw in the constructive criticism once in awhile but they take it very well and are very positive,” said Cote.

Shado Muchemore-Allen led the Mustangs with eight points while Michael Morin added six. Other point scorers were Jennifer Meserve, Samantha Johnston, Jacob Smith, Nate Provencher and Burleeann Bouchard.

Noble/Marshwood’s Max Blackwin shot a game-high 16 points for the Knight Hawks.

Although the Mustangs have had a strong start to the season, Cote still believes that there is room for improvement as the regular season rolls on.

“Defense — making sure we mark up and stay with them, not let them mosey around the floor,” said Cote. “Today we did well rebounding which was something I wanted to see some improvement on and today they impressed me, they did fantastic.”

— Associate Sports Editor Alex Sponseller can be reached at asponseller@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.