ADDISON COUNTY — Otter Valley outlasted Vergennes in Division II to highlight first-round boys’ basketball playoff action on Tuesday. In other games Middlebury and Mount Abraham both came up short vs. top-four seeds on the road.
OV-VUHS
The 14-7 Otters, seeded No. 5, repelled the No. 12 Commodores’ upset bid, 52-46. OV Coach Greg Hughes praised the Commodores’ defensive effort.
“Vergennes pressured us well. They made it tough to get into a rhythm,” Hughes said.
Ultimately the difference was the 17-2 margin the Otters earned in the second quarter, which Hughes said allowed them to survive a seven-for-20 performance from the free throw line, including four-for-14 in the fourth quarter as VUHS fought back. Josh Letourneau led the Otters with 19 points, and Dylan Mackie scored 12. The Otters, winners of eight of their past nine, will play at No. 4 Montpelier (15-6) at 7 p.m. on Friday.
The 7-14 Commodores had finished the regular season strong and saw a three-game winning streak snapped. Seniors Ethan Sausville (16 points), Lance Bergmans (13) and Bailey Smith (11) led the VUHS attack.
EAGLES
Host No. 3 Milton took a 32-19 halftime lead on the way to ousting No. 14 Mount Abe, 63-39, in another D-II matchup. Ian Jennings sparked the 15-6 Yellowjackets with 24 points and 14 rebounds.  
Mount Abe senior Jackson Counter scored 13 points and sophomore Liam Kelliher added 12 for the 6-15 Eagles.
TIGERS
In D-I, No. 4 St. Johnsbury rolled to a 73-36 victory over the No. 13 Tigers. Alex Carlisle tossed in 28 points for the 16-5 Hilltoppers, who sank 13 three-pointers in the game.
Senior Cody Pomainville led the 5-16 Tigers with seven points.