Backed by its balanced offensive game plan, along with its stout defense, the Red Storm earned a 65-34 win over the host Lumberjacks, marking it’s fourth straight victory.

Zack McCarthy and Sam Clark took command of Saranac Lake’s offense, scoring 13 points apiece. Dillon Wilson added 11 points, while Mik Denkenberger had seven and Cedar Crist and Alius Martelle chipped in with six each.

The Red Storm also had scoring from Zack Goetz with four points, Noah Hastings with three and Gunner Harrison with two.

While nine different players recorded a basket for Saranac Lake, its play on the defensive side may have been the biggest factor. In the early parts of Tuesday’s contest, the Red Storm’s pesky defense plagued Tupper Lake, as they held the hosts to just eight points at halftime.

Tupper Lake’s Tim Peterson dribbles the ball down the court during Tuesday’s game against Saranac Lake. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

“We want to be physical and play defense,” Saranac Lake head coach Daryl Crist said. “I thought we came out with a great mental approach to the game and really handled our business.”

The Red Storm led 15-3 after the first quarter, and extended their advantage to 37-8 at halftime because of a strong full court press.

“The ball pressure we struggled with,” Lumberjacks head coach Brian Bennett said.

Tupper Lake had a better outing in the second half, and were narrowly outscored 28-26 following the intermission, including a 14-point fourth quarter.

“It was much more even in the second half,” Bennett said. “(But) they’re a great team. Their core right now with 11th and 12th graders is killing it.”

Saranac Lake’s Levi Lambert dribbles during Tuesday’s road game in Tupper Lake. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

Felix Bodeewes scored 20 points for the Lumberjacks, who dropped to 5-6 overall. Ashton Clark-Sanford had seven points, while Colin Strack added five and Ethan Barkley chipped in with two.

Saranac Lake improved to 10-3 overall, which is the fastest the team has reached double-digit wins since the 2006-07 season.

Despite its hot start to the season, Daryl Crist and the Red Storm team don’t want to stop at just 10.

“We’ve put in a lot of hard work,” he said. “All the boys are contributing and the buy-in factor is really high.”

In the team’s last three games — all wins — they’ve had a different leading scorer each time. In Saranac Lake’s previous two contests, Cedar Crist and Denkenberger led the team in scoring.

Up next, the Red Storm will take on the Canton Golden Bears at 7 p.m. Friday on their home court. The Golden Bears are 8-3 overall.

Tupper Lake will host the Norwood-Norfolk Flyers at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. The Lumberjacks topped the Flyers 67-10 on Dec. 10.

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Saranac Lake 65, Tupper Lake 34

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Red Storm 15 22 19 9 — 65

Lumberjacks 3 5 12 14 — 34

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Individual stats

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SL — McCarthy 5-0-13; Denkenberger 3-1-7; Crist 3-0-6; Wilson 5-1-11; Harrison 1-0-2; Clark 5-3-13; Martelle 3-0-6; Goetz 2-0-4; Gillis 0-0-0; Hastings 1-0-3; Lambert 0-0-0. Totals: 28-5-65.

TL — Strack 2-0-5; Tower 0-0-0; Barkley 1-0-2; Peterson 0-0-0; Bolia 0-0-0; McDonald 0-0-0; Clark-Sanford 2-3-7; Bodeewes 7-1-20; Skiff 0-0-0. Totals: 12-4-34.

3-point goals: Tupper Lake (6): Bodeewes 5, Strack. Saranac Lake (4): McCarthy 3, Hastings.