The Patriots’ Lucas Lopresto (12) looks to dribble past Dallas’ Joey Nocito in action at Pittston Area.
                                 Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

The Patriots’ Lucas Lopresto (12) looks to dribble past Dallas’ Joey Nocito in action at Pittston Area.

Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

<p>The Patriots’ Paul Jordan McGarry (23) launched a three-point shot against Dallas Area on Tuesday evening at Pittston Area. McGarry scored 10 of the first half’s 20 points for the Patriots. </p>
                                 <p>Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch</p>

The Patriots’ Paul Jordan McGarry (23) launched a three-point shot against Dallas Area on Tuesday evening at Pittston Area. McGarry scored 10 of the first half’s 20 points for the Patriots.

Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

YATESVILLE — Al Semenza spent all but 3:22 of Tuesday night’s Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 boys basketball showdown confined to the bench because of an early technical foul.

From there, the Pittston Area coach spent most of the rest of the night deciding which of his key players should be sitting next to him and for how long.

Pittston Area battled foul trouble throughout and Dallas made the most of those free throws to remain unbeaten in the division.

The Mountaineers made all eight of their free throws in the final 3:30 to finish a 25-for-30 effort that carried them to a 49-44 victory.

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The game featured 39 personal and three technical fouls.

The Mountaineers, who won the conference’s four-team, postseason tournament a year ago, ended the week with a two-game lead in the division at 6-0.

Pittston Area is 4-2 and part of a three-way tie for second with Hazleton Area and Wilkes-Barre Area. The Patriots, however, went into Saturday leading the race for the top seed in the District 2 Class 5A playoffs.

Dallas sophomore Pat Flanagan, who pulled down a team-high nine rebounds, joined freshman Joey Nocito in sharing the team scoring honors with 12 points each. Dale added 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots.

The aggressive Dallas defense, including a strong effort from freshman Tyce Mason, held the Pittston Area backcourt combination of Silvio Giardina and Lucas Lopresto 20 points below its season average.

Pittston Area led at times in the first 10 minutes before Dallas used 10-0 runs in the second and third quarter to make sure it led for the entire second half.

The Mountaineers made just two 3-pointers, but converted four three-point plays.

Paul Jordan McGarry hit four 3-pointers, including one to reduce the deficit to 45-43 with 36.7 seconds left, and led the Patriots with 18 points. In February, McGarry made six 3-pointers in Pittston Area’s bid to upset Dallas in the District 2 Class 5A semifinals

Aiden Lynn grabbed 10 rebounds and three assists for the Patriots. Giardina had nine points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots. Lopresto grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists.

Giardina, Lynn and Matt Walter each blocked two shots.

Walter was limited by fouls and eventually fouled out. He was 3-for-5 from the floor with seven points, five rebounds and three assists.