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LOWELL — Methuen's three captains quietly filed into the hallway at Riddick Field House.

No. 6 Lowell had just defeated the No. 11 Rangers 69-49 in the first round of the Division 1 North tournament. The players were disappointed, but they were plenty proud. 

ANDOVER - In scramble mode at halftime, David Fazio scoured his locker room for five Warriors willing to defend.

The search saved the week and possibly the season for the Andover High boys, who after alloting Lowell 40 in the first half, shackled the Raiders in the second to pull out the dramatic 54-53 decision at a wild Dunn Gym.

Fueled by Billy Marsden's five 3-pointers, Central Catholic dropped rival Lowell, 50-43, to improve to 12-1. Marsden finished with 26 points while star center Carson Desrosiers filled out the stat sheet with 8 points, 11 rebounds and 7 blocks.

In what was supposed to be a close game, Central Catholic made a stunning 27 of 28 free throws on its way to a 78-39 romp over Lowell. Carson Desrosiers, who sank eight free throws, was immense underneat with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 7 blocks.

Methuen may have lost to Lowell, 67-49, but Edwin Gonzalez played the game of his life.

"He was unreal," coach Rich Barden said. 

Gonzalez scored a career-high 34 points and hit eight 3-pointers. Unfortunately for the Rangers, they entered the fourth quarter ahead by a point only to get outscored 25-9 in the final frame.