The Bishop Stang girls basketball team kept its undefeated record after a 57-53 win over crosstown rival Dartmouth on December 29.

It was Bishop Stang's game early on, as the team commanded a lead throughout most of the game. But midway through the game, Dartmouth fought back, tying the game several times, but in the end Bishop Stang took the win.

“We played really well at times, but made some foolish mistakes other times,” said Head Coach Eric LeVie. “We were lucky enough to play hard enough in the end to win.”

The win improves Bishop Stang’s record to 5-0. So far undefeated, LeVie said his goal is to improve some mistakes he saw during the face-off against Dartmouth - particularly clock management and strategizing in the final minute of a game.

“Getting a win in a game like that, that could’ve gone either way, early in the season is a good thing,” he added.

He credits the undefeated record to strong leadership by seniors Mollie Duclos, Nora Markey, and Lilly Syron, and teammates’ abilities to work together.

“We’re a very unselfish team they share the ball well,” LeVie said.

Bishop Stang may face its toughest challenge so far on December 5, with a matchup against Bishop Feehan.

“[Bishop Feehan] is one of the top teams in the state Division 1 at the moment,” LeVie said. “We have a lot coming at us on Friday night. We have to use the week to prepare and be ready.”

The loss brings Dartmouth’s record to 3-2. Despite the loss, Head Coach Scott Richards noted the team stepped up worked hard, and credited Laura Mendell with picking up 24 points.

“Unfortunately in these closely contested games one or two mistakes tend to be magnified, and that’s what happened tonight,” Richards said.

Richards said he plans to improve team composure in tense moments, pointing to several turnovers that occurred during particularly exciting moments in the game. It will be especially relevant as the team heads into some tough matchups.

“We’ve got the metal of our schedule coming up, so this was a good test for us,” Richards said, pointing to upcoming games against East Bridgewater, Durfee, and New Bedford as challenges.