Saranac Lake led from start to finish but was never really able to pull away from the Beavers, who trailed by double-digits for much of the second half before closing the gap with a 10-2 run during the final four minutes of the contest.

A fast start was big for the Red Storm as they opened the game with 10-0 lead, which ultimately had Keene facing a deficit that was too big to overcome. Saranac Lake led 18-12 at halftime, and began the third quarter with a 7-1 run that eventually helped the host team carry a 28-18 edge into the fourth. The Red Storm’s largest advantage of the game was a 35-21 lead with 4:30 left in the game.

Roslyn McClatchie paced Saranac Lake with a game-high 12 points, with nine of those coming after intermission. Jayda Buckley also finished in double figures with 10 points for Saranac Lake, and Elly Smith led the Beavers with 10 points, which included an 8-for-10 shooting night at the foul line.

“We did a pretty good job, but we have to be careful with our fouls,” Saranac Lake coach Frank Johns said. “We played a little over aggressive at first. In time, switching zones and man helped out a lot. Offensively, we’re starting to look for people who are open. We just have to learn to be more patient and get the ball inside a little more.”

Roslyn McClatchie puts up a shot for Saranac Lake over Keene’s Caitlin Quinn during the opening half of Monday’s game in the recently renovated Red Storm gym. McClatchie was the game’s high scorer with 12 points. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

“First-game jitters,” said Keene head coach Josh Whitney, whose team is replacing two 1,000-plus career scorers who graduated a season ago. “I’m proud of the way we performed tonight. We have a long season ahead of us.

“I think our defense was awesome,” added Beavers assistant coach Jody Whitney. “Offensively, I think we have some work to do. We have a lot of young kids this year, and a few returning starters. I’m very pleased with what I saw tonight. We’re looking forward to a good season.”

“This game was good for us,” Johns said. “This was a team that went to the championship in the Ds last year and the year before. They lost a few of their big girls. We took advantage of things, but we have to play better. We were never behind the whole game, but it was like cat and mouse the whole way. We have to stop the other team after we score. It’s the only way you’re going to gain on people — put a little run together.”

The Red Storm will be back in action Wednesday in another non-league contest at Lake Placid. The Beavers are also slated to play their next game against Lake Placid on the road Dec. 5.

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Saranac Lake 37, Keene 31

Red Storm 12 6 10 9 — 37

Beavers 6 6 6 13 — 31

Saranac Lake (37)

Clark 3-0-6, Buckley 4-0-10, Carpenter 1-0-3, McCormick 0-0-0, McClatchie 5-0-12, Lincoln 0-0-0, Merrill 3-0-6, Newton 0-0-0. Totals: 16-0-37.

Keene (31)

Lopez 2-0-4, Whitney 3-0-7, Quinn 1-0-2, Summo 3-1-8, Smith 1-8-10, Potter 0-0-0. Totals: 10-9-31.

Three point goals: SL, Buckley 2, Carpenter, McClatchie 2. K, Whitney, Summo.