FARMINGTON, N.H. – Epping’s Andrew Ayotte buried a game-winning three-pointer with 4.3 seconds left to give the Blue Devils a thrilling come-from-behind 56-55 victory at Farmington on Tuesday night, sparked by Blake Snyder’s game-high 28 points in the Division IV contest.
The Tigers controlled the opening period, building a 16-9 advantage behind balanced scoring from their frontcourt. Farmington maintained momentum through the second quarter, taking a 28-27 halftime lead despite Epping’s improved offensive output.
The third quarter belonged to the Tigers, who outscored the Blue Devils 20-14 to extend their advantage to 48-41 entering the final eight minutes. Keltin Moulton and Preston Berko powered Farmington’s interior attack during the decisive third-quarter surge.
Epping responded with relentless pressure in the fourth quarter, chipping away at the deficit while limiting the Tigers to just seven points over the final period. The Blue Devils’ balanced attack and defensive intensity set the stage for Ayotte’s heroics, as the junior forward connected on the game-winner after Snyder had kept his team within striking distance throughout the contest.
Snyder’s explosive performance included three three-pointers as the senior guard shouldered the offensive load for Epping. Freshman Kosta Maschas contributed eight points, while Ayotte finished with five points despite his clutch final basket.
Farmington received double-digit scoring from four players, with Moulton leading the way with 14 points in the paint. Junior guard Brayden Johnson added 13 points on three three-pointers, while senior Lucas Watson chipped in 11 points with one triple. Berko rounded out the Tigers’ balanced attack with 10 points.
The Blue Devils’ fourth-quarter rally marked a dramatic turnaround after trailing by seven points entering the final period. Epping outscored Farmington 15-7 down the stretch, with the defensive pressure forcing several late turnovers that proved crucial in the comeback effort.
The victory showcased the Tigers’ depth and scoring balance, but ultimately belonged to the Blue Devils’ late-game execution and Snyder’s consistent offensive production throughout all four quarters.
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