BANGOR – When you’re the defending Class B state champion, it’s sometimes hard to believe a team could come out and hold you scoreless for a while.

But that’s just what No. 6 MDI did to No. 3 Erskine of South China Friday night in an Eastern Maine Class B boys quarterfinal at the Bangor Auditorium.

The Eagles went on to rally, but had to withstand another Trojan run, this time keyed by MDI’s Robin Daley, en route to a 66-56 victory over the Trojans.

“We’re not really used to [having to rally],” said Erskine guard Darrell Haskell, who had 10 points and was one of four Eagle players in double figures. “But I think our pressure really bothered them.”

Erskine, now 17-2, moves to a Wednesday semifinal No. 2 Foxcroft, the winner of Friday night’s second quarterfinal.

Erskine had a 48-32 lead in the fourth quarter, but MDI (12-8) reeled off a 12-2 run to open the period. Daley hit the final shot of the stretch, a 3-pointer, to make it 50-44.

The Eagles gained some breathing room with baskets and free throws from senior standout Josh Jones, but Kyle Staples (14 points) drained a 3-pointer with 1:27 left in the game to get MDI within six points again.

The Trojans were unable to gain any more ground, however. James Leibowitz (14 points) scored off a pass from Jones and the Eagles reeled off six straight free throws. Jones sealed the win with a dunk for a team-high 21 points.

Daley was nearly perfect in the fourth quarter, hitting six of his seven shots, including two of three 3-point attempts. He poured in 26 points in the game, including 15 in the fourth quarter, and shot 11-for-14 from the floor.

“Robin’s a very good shooter and he … shot it extremely well tonight,” MDI coach Wilton Jones said. “I’m proud of my whole team and the effort they gave.”

Daley scored six in the first quarter as MDI took an 8-0 lead, but Erskine climbed back into the game quickly, cutting the lead to 10-5 and then scoring seven unanswered points, including a Clint Peterson 3-pointer with about 2.5 seconds left for a 12-10 lead.

The Trojans struggled against the Eagles’ zone press. MDI had two turnovers in the first quarter, but 13 in the next two quarters combined.

“We battled, fought back, got it to six, got the basketball, had a chance to cut it to four, and you can’t ask any more than that,” MDI’s coach Jones said. “I think the key was that the end of that second quarter put us in a hole that was tough to dig out of.”

ERSKINE 66, MDI 56

MDI (12-8) Erskine (17-2)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Willis 0 2 0 0 0 Peterson 2 10

Pooler 2 7 0 0 4 Bagdoyon 1 3

Daley 11 14 2 4 28 Haskell 3 13 10

Staples 6 16 0 0 14 Kendall 0 0 0

Grover 4 13 0 0 8 Jones 5 13 11 12 22

Swanson 0 2 0 0 0 Macklin 0 2 0

Maffuci 1 3 0 1 2 Leibowitz 6 14 2 3 14

Veilleux 1 2 0 0 2 Boynton 3 5 7

Philbrook 0 0 0

Staples 0 1 0 0

Totals 25 59 2 5 56 Totals 20 54 20 25 66

Mdi 10 20 32 56

Erskine 12 29 48 66

3-pt. goals – MDI (4-13): Daley 2-4, Staples 2-8, Willis 0-1; Erskine (6-17): Peterson 2-2, Haskell 2-7, Jones 1-2, Bagdoyon 1-3, Boynton 0-1, Macklin 0-2