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Corey McNamara knocked down four 3-pointers as Pentucket capped its surge to qualify for the state tournament, winning for the fourth time in five games to clinch the postseason with a 59-37 victory over archrival Triton.

With its 56-37 triumph over Amesbury last night, Pentucket will make the state tourney if it defeats rival Triton on the road tomorrow. Mike Doud helped set the tourney stage for the Sachems with a game-high 13 points against the Indians.

A three-second call with 12 seconds left and Pentucket trailing by a pair took the ball out of the Sachems' hands and proved to be the difference in a 57-54 loss to Rockport. Corey McNamara led all scorers with 25, knocking down seven more threes in the loss.

Corey McNamara had 7 of his 12 in the fourth quarter and John Modlish added six of his 11 as Pentucket ruled the quarter to beat Georgetown 71-59. The Sachems exploded for 26 points in the frame. The Royals' Julio Colon led all scorers with 16 points.

HAVERHILL — Playing at full strength for the first time in the still young basketball season, Haverhill ran away from Pentucket yesterday in a 63-56 victory.

Forced to play the first five games without suspended seniors Dennis Driftmeyer and Andrew Connolly, Haverhill lost four times, including a 44-point drubbing earlier in the week at Lawrence. But after watching Driftmeyer lead the Hillies down the stretch against Pentucket (4-5), the Hillies appear ready to make some noise in the Merrimack Valley Conference.

Mike Messman scored a team-best 15 points on his way to tournament MVP honors as Georgetown defeated Pentucket 59-54 in the River Rivals Holiday Tourney. Neph Carmona added 15 rebounds for the winners.

Pentucket flipped an eight-point halftime deficit by pitching a third-quarter shutout, pulling away for a 44-35 victory over Newburyport. Enhanced team defense did the trick for the Sachems, who rode 11 points from sophomore Nolan Dragon and 10 more from classmate Corey McNamara to victory.

P.J. Dion's steal with 17 seconds left sealed North Reading's 50-46 comeback win over Pentucket. The Hornets trailed by as many as 12 in the first half and surrendered 33 points before the break. But in the second half, Pentucket was limited to just 13 points (three in the third quarter).   Nick and Bob Roano sparked the win defensively. 

Varsity quarterback Mike Doud had a career night on the hardcourt, scoring a career-best 21 points including three 3-pointers as Pentucket bested Lynnfield 54-48.

Corey McNamara put down five 3-pointers on his way to a game-best 21 points as Pentucket routed Amesbury, 69-33. The Sachems buried four long-range shots in the first eight minutes en route to a decisive 26-point first quarter.