LAKEWOOD — A nine-point run by the Lakewood boys basketball team gave the Cougars a short-lived lead as they hosted Lambrick Park.

With a three-point basket at the buzzer signaling the end of the first quarter, Lambrick Park retook the lead, one they would hold for much of the game.

But in play worthy of Lakewood’s first win of the season, the boys played the tortoise to Lambrick Park’s hare, coming back to recapture the lead at 41-40, en route to a 55-52 win at home Dec. 30.

“When we got that lead, it took the wind out of their sails,” Lakewood coach Matt Hart said later.

Although three weeks had passed since Lakewood’s last game, the rain and melting snow left no rust on Lakewood junior Nathan Hesselman who turned it on in the second half. The 6-4 forward scored 12 of his 18 points there in the Cougars’ comeback, adding eight rebounds. Junior guard Joseph Hawkins had eight boards as well and all seven of his points came in the second half.

Lambrick Park’s early lead came thanks in part to some particularly hot first-half shooting, Hart explained. Half the visitors’ roster had points going into the half with two players already at nine points each.

“I told the guys at halftime that they couldn’t continue to shoot that well and we had to shoot better,” he said.

Lakewood’s numbers ultimately got the better of Lambrick Park’s. By the second half, Lambrick Park’s best performances were behind them, but Lakewood had five players improve on their first-half play. Eight Lakewood players scored and the team earned 15 points off the bench.

Lakewood hopes to take advantage of the momentum of the win as they faced Blaine at home after the Globe/Times went to press. They resume their league schedule on the road, visiting King’s Jan. 9 and Granite Falls Jan. 13.