LIBERTY — When Liberty and Fallsburg face off, the games never disappoint. High energy, tough defense, and clutch shooting make this matchup one to watch every year. Despite the two squads being in different divisions this season, with the RedHawks moving up to A, the two teams battled on the court as if it was a league matchup. Ultimately, it was a strong second half by Fallsburg, specifically in the third quarter that propelled the Comets to a 49-39 victory.

The entire first half was a back-and-forth between the two squads with 14 lead changes as the teams amassed points and put up shots. Offense came at a premium early on thanks to stellar defensive performances on both sides.

Fallsburg scored the first three points of the game, but Liberty answered with four of their own to take the lead. From there, the two units exchanged baskets back and forth until Liberty was able to break away with a 9-7 lead to end the first quarter.

The second quarter continued much like the first, with neither team gaining more than a two-point lead in the quarter. Every shot by one team was quickly answered by the other, and by halftime Liberty’s lead was down to one, 23-22.

Fallsburg returned from the locker room ready to go in the third quarter. In the frame, it was the first time that one of the teams was able to string together multiple scores and stops, and thanks to a 5-0 run to close out the quarter, Fallsburg was able to take a 39-31 lead, the largest of either team in the contest.

Fallsburg continued their run into the fourth quarter, adding an additional seven points to their lead before Liberty was able to stop the run. Trailing 46-33, Liberty’s chances of getting back into the game were running out, but a 6-1 run would get them back within eight points before two late free throws for the Comets sealed the 49-39 victory.

Fallsburg’s Isaiah Young, Donovan Hart and Liberty’s Riley Totten all tied for a game-high 13 points. Fallsburg’s Daryl McPherson and Liberty’s Jeremy Simon added 11 and 12 respectively.

Young’s eight point third quarter, combined with Hart’s six points in the third gave Fallsburg the lead that they carried to victory.

“We’ve been sluggish in our last few games, so we knew we wanted to come in hot and establish a defensive presence early,” said Fallsburg Coach Lionel White. “We started moving the ball more in the second half and did the little things we needed to do to win.”

“It was a tough game but the kids played hard,” Liberty Coach Matt Robinson said. “We couldn’t buy a basket in the second half. They went on a run and we forced a few shots. It was a back-and-forth game, and when they went on a run we didn’t answer and that was the difference.”

Fallsburg was back in action last night as they visited Tri-Valley for a league game against the new B team and will host Chapel Field tomorrow night.

Liberty visits Chester for a non-league game on Thursday night, which could be a huge bounce back game for the RedHawks against another B school.