Unbeaten Enfield survived a slow first quarter and held off a pesky Canton team, pulling away in the second half for a 75-56 victory in NCCC boys basketball action Tuesday night.
The Raiders led 30-24 at halftime, but Canton closed to within two near the midway point of the third quarter. Enfield then embarked on a 23-11 spurt to finish the period, sparked by Tom Meskell's three-point basket, and entered the final eight minutes with a 58-44 lead.
Enfield was led by Paul Lima's 22 points, while Ra Preston contributed 20 and Josh Gaines added 12. The Raiders also received solid minutes from role players like Meskell, Joe Linehan and Alex Gould.
"For us to be successful, we need those guys to step up," Enfield head coach Cory O'Connell said. "I tell them before each game to do what you can do; whether you get in the game for one second or 32 minutes, whatever it is, contribute in some way, somehow."
Patrick Sullivan led Canton with 16 points. Cam Daley had 15 points, while Cam Lange tallied nine, all in the second half.
Both teams return to action with home games Thursday at 7 p.m. Enfield (11-0) hosts a showdown with NCCC rival Avon, in a game that had originally been scheduled for Friday, while Canton (4-8) entertains Granby.
