If the North Moore boys’ basketball team wanted to stay within sight of Yadkin Valley Conference leader North Rowan, it needed a statement game when Albemarle visited Robbins Friday.

The Mustangs outscored the visiting Bulldogs in both the first and fourth quarters, but it was what Albemarle did in the middle two frames that was the difference, a big difference.

North Moore opened the second quarter with a three-pointer from deep in the corner by junior Quashan Davis, giving the Mustangs a 19-15 lead. Then the Bulldogs unleashed a smothering and swarming defense, creating numerous North Moore turnovers on the way to running off 20 straight points during the next four-plus minutes for 35-19 lead and an eventual 71-46 victory.

“We started off well and played some of our best basketball in the first six minutes,” said North Moore coach Grant Smith. “Then we lost our focus and didn’t make the adjustments we needed to break their pressure. We did get the movement we needed and it showed. They’re (Albemarle) are very physical team and we’re not.”

The Mustangs started the first quarter at a blistering pace, racing to an 11-2 lead in the first three minutes. Senior Landon Auman had a pair of buckets during the run, along with a three-pointer from Davis. Senior Denzel Herron’s steal and layup gave the Mustangs the nine-point lead with 4:51 left in the opening period.

After the Bulldogs hit a bucket and Auman scored his third field goal, Albemarle stepped up the pace, running off 11 straight points for a 15-13 lead. Davis connected on his second trey of the quarter with 21 seconds left, giving his team a 16-15 lead heading into the second quarter.

After Davis opened the second quarter with a trey, the Bulldogs connected on treys on their next three trips down the floor. Sophomore Terrace Ellis had two of the three-pointers sandwiched around one by junior Andre Ridenhour.

After the Mustangs broke the Bulldogs’ scoring run on a free throw by junior Colton Troxler, Albemarle went on a 13-2 run to close out the half on top 48-22. Junior Bryan Blanton scored 11 points for the Bulldogs during the explosive second quarter.

The Bulldogs continued to dominate in the third quarter, opening with nine straight points for a 35-point lead at 57-22. North Moore sophomore Matthew Spivey broke the Mustangs’ scoreless streak, hitting a long-range trey from the right wing. Senior Adam Bullard came up with a couple of driving layups for the Mustangs, cutting the lead to 28 points.

The Bulldogs finished out the third quarter scoring the final eight points for a 65-29 lead going into the final period.

Smith let his bench play the fourth quarter and the bomb squad connected on five three-pointers during the quarter, with Spivey and Troxler having two treys each. Senior Daniel Purvis contributed to the bombing with his trey at the 3:05 mark.

The Mustangs outscored the Bulldogs 17-6 during the period for the final 25-point margin.

“I was really proud of the kids in the fourth quarter, they played well and gave a good effort,” said Smith. “We’ll come back to practice Monday and get ready for West Montgomery Tuesday.”

Davis and Spivey were the Mustangs’ top scorers with nine points each followed by Troxler with seven points.

Blanton paced the Bulldogs with 14 points followed by Ellis with 11 points and Deon Christian 10.

The Mustangs entertain West Montgomery Tuesday in their final game before starting their holiday break.

Albemarle 15 33 17 6 — 71

North Moore 16 6 7 17 — 46

Albemarle: Blanton 5 1-2 14; Ellis 4 0-0 11; Christian 5 0-0 10; Williams 4 1-2 9; Autry 4 0-0 8; Brown 2 0-0 4; Crowder 2 0-0 4; Niven 1 1-2 3; Baldwin 1 1-2 3; Ridenhour 1 0-0 3; Currie 1 0-3 2. Totals 30 4-13 71.

North Moore: Spivey 3 0-0 9; Davis 3 0-0 9; Troxler 2 1-2 7; Auman 3 0-0 6; Bullard 2 0-0 4; Hunsucker 2 0-0 4; Purvis 1 0-0 3; Richardson 1 0-2 2; Herron 1 0-0 2. Totals 18 1-6 46.

Three-point goals: A 7 (Ellis 3, Blanton 3, Ridenhour); NM 9 (Spivey 3, Davis 3, Troxler 2, Purvis).