The Mathews High School varsity girls’ basketball team played what was arguably its best game of the season to defeat the Middlesex Chargers Friday night, 55-48.

Mathews, now 17-1 on the season, suffered its only loss to Middlesex early last month. Out to avenge that loss, Mathews wasted no time taking control of the court. Combining their usual impeccable defense with a better than average offense, the Lady Devils simply dominated first-half action.

Mathews outscored the Chargers, 33-15, to take an 18-point lead to the locker room at halftime. The second half, however, would not begin in the same manner. Middlesex came back on the court with a very aggressive game and managed to cut the Mathews lead in half within six minutes, trailing only 39-30, with two minutes remaining in the third period. The Lady Devils also continued to play hard and would stretch their lead back to 14 points by the end of the period. In the fourth period, both teams battled hard but Mathews was able...