Pembroke junior guard Andrew Fitzgerald was automatic in the fourth quarter.
After Bow tied the game against Pembroke Academy at 39 points apiece before the fourth, Fitzgerald erupted with four three-pointers on seven attempts and 16 points to close out the game.
Both teams were on on nine-game win streaks heading into the game and are in the hunt for a state championship, battling for top spots in Division II. The cross-93 rivalry game between Bow and Pembroke was set up to be a spectacle.
On Tuesday night, the Falcons (10-5) ultimately fell to the hot hands of the Spartans (12-3) by a score of 56-52.
Fitzgerald finished the night with 30 points and the win in hand to keep his team moving toward the March playoffs and a potential title defense.
He had already proven he could step up in big moments before, as he did in last year’s state championship, and reminded his competition of his ability to flip a switch. He showed off for a home crowd ready to explode, and cheering him on every shot.
“I just keep confidence in myself, that’s all I do,” he said. “I work really hard on shooting, so I just knew it was going to fall eventually.”
The Spartans started their nine-game win streak by beating Laconia on Jan. 13, after starting the season with three losses and three wins. Now, they’re a completely different team.
Bow was on a hot streak of its own, beginning just three days after Pembroke’s on Jan. 16, also against Laconia. During the streak, they had beaten other playoff threats in the division like Coe-Brown (10-5), Manchester West (12-2) and Pelham (10-4).
Doing the same against Pembroke was not out of the question, but they let the game get away down the stretch. Sophomore guard Ben Reardon lead with 15 points, while seniors Brendan O’Keeffe and Peyton Larrabee followed with 12 and 11.
Despite battling back from as much as a double-digit deficit, the Falcons couldn’t put together four full quarters, Bow Coach Eric Saucier said.
“We battled. I think we proved we can go on the road and win, we’ve already won at Pelham,” Saucier said.
“I think if we have a better first half, I think we can come in here and win,” he added.
Throughout the game, Pembroke senior forwards Colin Dube and Javien Sinclair and Bow’s Larrabee battled in the marquee paint skirmish.
Bow senior center Peyton Larrabee (L) drives into the paint guarded by Pembroke senior Javien Sinclair (R) Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Falcons senior guard Brendan O’Keeffe (12) drives past Pembroke senior Jackson Tanguay (14) Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Spartans senior forward Colin Dube (white) kicks the ball out of a crowded paint while Bow senior Peyton Larrabee (21) and junior Kyle Cimis (15) try to stop him. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor
It was difficult to clear lanes inside on both ends, but especially for Bow, which usually feasts on picks on the perimeter and finding space to penetrate the low post.
After foul trouble plagued both sides, Pembroke head coach Jim Cilley played some small ball during Fitzgerald’s hot streak, effectively opening up space to maneuver around the floor.
Cilley credited the depth and bench guys stepping up for the win streak as well — sophomore guard Brayden Provos, junior forward Danny O’Brien, junior guard Devon Benton and everyone else staying ready to check in.
“It’s good to have some teachable moments in a game and still win,” he said after the game.
Pembroke will play away at Coe-Brown on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The Falcons will continue fighting to move up in the standings with a home game hosting Plymouth on Friday at 7 p.m.