ADAMS TWP — Mars was down, but never out.

Through the first three quarters of Friday night's Class 5A-Section 2 showdown with Moon, the Planets couldn't get over the hump.

Every time they made a run to cut into the Tiger lead, Moon would respond with a flurry of its own.

Then came the fourth quarter.

Sparked by perfection from the free throw line — Mars was 16-of-16 in the fourth quarter — and senior guard Ben Lewis' outside shooting, the Planets came back to post a dramatic 70-63 comeback win on Senior Night.

The Planets scored as many points (35) in the fourth quarter as they managed in the first three periods combined.

When asked if this was the best example this season of the resolve his team has, Mars coach Rob Carmody replied, “Absolutely. We were 26-of-27 from the line tonight. You think about all of those attempts against a good team and in front of a packed gym. It was incredible.”

The victory ties the Planets (12-8, 7-3) with the Tigers (14-4, 7-3) atop the section standings.

Moon owned a 44-35 edge at the start of the fourth quarter, but Mars' persistence put the Tigers on their heels.

The Planets finally grabbed the lead on Lewis' two free throws that put Mars up 64-63 with 39 seconds left.

Moon's Jarrod Simmons then missed a shot from right underneath the basket. Ben Perdziola rebounded and was fouled before making both of his free throws with 25 seconds remaining.

Robby Carmody then blocked a 3-point attempt by Austin Ryan. The Tigers retained possession, but promptly turned the ball over with 10 seconds left. Andrew Recchia and Lewis hit four free throws to ice the game.

Eight of Moon's 18 turnovers came in the fourth quarter, helping to fuel Mars' surge.

“We didn't close the game the way we wanted to, but we can't get it back now,” said Moon coach Adam Kaufman. “We just need to move forward.”

Lewis had scored five points over the first three periods, then exploded for 15 in the final eight minutes. All three of his treys came in the final quarter. He was 0-for-6 from long range before that.

“My role is the long ball,” Lewis said. “I can go for a while without making one, but then it picks up and I get hot.”

Lewis ended the game with 20 points, second on Mars only to Robby Carmody's 30.

Carmody tallied 20 of Mars' 35 points in the first three periods. His counterpart, Moon senior guard Nick Castelveter, was a thorn in the Planets' side all night long.

Castelveter scored a team-high 28 points, including six of Moon's nine treys. He drained three of them in the final quarter. Otherwise, Mars may not have had to wait until the final minute to take the lead.

“He's a knock-down shooter,” said Kaufman of Castelveter. “He did his job tonight and kept us in the game.”

Friday's win was huge for Mars and not just because of the section standings. The Planets' morale needed a boost. Entering the game, they had dropped six of their last seven games.

Robby Carmody missed four of those games due to an ankle injury.

“I think the guys were worried about how long he was going to be out, when's he coming back,” Rob Carmody said. “We told them to just focus on what they can control.”

What the Planets now control is their own destiny. If they win their last two section games (against Chartiers Valley and Hampton), they will do no worse than share the section title.

“It says a lot about our program,” said Lewis. “Most of us (players) didn't see varsity time last year and people didn't think we'd do much. We came into a tough section and were ready for the challenge.”

MOON 63

Jioni Smith 1 0-0 2, Austin Ryan 2 0-0 6, Nick Castelveter 8 6-6 28, Connor Ryan 7 1-1 15, Max Hurley 2 0-0 5, Jarrod Simmons 2 1-2 5, Brady Sunday 0 2-2 2, Andrew Buckley 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22 10-11 63.

MARS 70

Ben Lewis 5 7-7 20, Ben Perdziola 2 2-2 6, Robby Carmody 8 13-14 30, Cade Hetzler 4 0-0 8, Michael Carmody 1 0-0 2, Andrew Recchia 0 4-4 4, Jerry Stoddart 0 0-0 0, Max Chizmar 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 26-27 70.

Moon 17 16 11 19 — 63

Mars12 14 9 35 — 70

3-point goals: Moon 9 (Castelveter 6, A. Ryan 2, Hurley); Mars 4 (Lewis 3, R. Carmody).

Tuesday: Mars at Chartiers Valley