NORTHAMPTON — Limiting Meikkel Murray is essential to beating Amherst Regional.
For a half, the Northampton boys basketball team accomplished that task and had a seven-point lead going into halftime on Thursday.
But in the third quarter, Murray took over and led Amherst to a 63-60 win over the Blue Devils.
Murray had 25 points and 18 rebounds, with 12 points coming in the third quarter.
“We didn’t have enough energy in the first half,” Murray said. “We weren’t talking on defense.”
In the first half, Northampton was defending effectively, rebounding and limiting Amherst to one shot on offensive possessions.
But in the third quarter, Murray’s relentless work on the offensive glass helped Amherst get a one-point lead heading into the fourth.
Murray “wasn’t playing up to his ability in the first half,” Amherst coach Jim Matuszko said. “We asked him to step up his game at halftime and he did. We are fortunate to have him.”
Murray had five offensive rebounds with four leading to putbacks at the rim.
It was an important Valley Wheel win for Amherst (11-3, 5-0) against a Northampton (11-4, 3-2) team that was brimming with confidence.
“I’ve heard a lot of talk about it,” Murray said. “It feels good to beat them but I try to stay away from negative energy. I told my guys if they are talking don’t talk back and just play basketball.”
Will Budington (eight points) connected on two timely 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. The second gave Amherst a 52-47 lead with 3 minutes, 27 seconds left in the game.
After a frenetic final two minutes with Amherst protecting a lead, the Blue Devils had a chance to tie it at the buzzer but Elijah Davis front- rimmed a double-clutch 3-point attempt.
Northampton hasn’t beaten Amherst since 2014.
“The biggest problem was keeping Murray off the boards,” Northampton coach Rey Harp said. “When they needed a basket, he got them a basket. That’s what big-time players do. He’s one of the best around.”
Northampton started fast against the Hurricanes, leading 16-10 after the first quarter.
Andy Grygorcewicz had eight of his 11 points in the first quarter. Davis led Northampton with 15 points.
Trailing 61-59 with seconds to play, Henry Doherty (10 points) had a chance to tie the game at the free-throw line, but his first attempt went in and out.
Seth Bella-Hunter was in foul trouble for most of the game and had six points for Amherst.
Meikyle Murray helped his brother on the glass with 13 rebounds with six assists to go along with five points.
Late in the game, Tajahn Joyner (eight points) went 4-for-4 at the free-throw line to keep Amherst ahead.
