MOON TWP — Rob Carmody is accustomed to seeing a certain brand of play from his Mars boys basketball team. It includes an offense that has the ability to drop big runs on opponents and score in clutch situations.

It was nowhere to be seen late in Friday's section showdown at Moon High School.

The Planets failed to make a field goal in the final six and a half minutes as the Tigers used a 17-1 run to cap a 58-43 win.

It was the first section loss of the season for Mars (15-4, 9-1), which missed out on a chance to clinch the section championship.

The final minutes of the game became a flurry of fouls and turnovers that went against the Planets. For the game, Mars turned the ball over 19 times as Moon held the Planets to their lowest point total of the season.

“Turnovers hadn't been a problem for us,” Carmody said. “We've had a few here and there like any high school team, but nothing like tonight. There was at least 12 to 14 points that we never gave ourselves a chance to score.”

Mars' last lead came when Andrew Recchia's steal and bucket put the Planets up 42-41 with 6:32 remaining. Taru Jones soon answered for the Tigers, putting his team up for good, but the game was still within reach late for Mars.

The Planets trailed 48-42 with 2:28 left, but Moon guard Connor Ryan helped put the game on ice from the free throw line, making all 12 of his attempts in the period.

Things came to a head for the Planets when Robby Carmody, who led Mars with 27 points, fouled out of the game with 1:09 left and Moon leading 50-43. Two of his five fouls were charging calls against him in the final quarter.

“You can't expect to get 50/50 calls on the road,” said Coach Carmody. “You have to respond to it and we consistently did not do that tonight.”

Moon's gameplan was clear: Limit Mars' possessions.

“You can't let Robby have 40 touches in a game. If you do, you will lose,” said Tigers' coach Adam Kaufman. “We controlled the ball and were patient on offense. I give our kids a lot of credit. They were the ones out there playing and getting pressed.”

The strategy led to victory, but only because the Tigers shot 54 percent (19-of-35) from the field and turned the ball over just 10 times, including just twice in the fourth quarter.

The Planets trailed for much of the first half, but Michael Carmody's layup just before the halftime buzzer gave Mars a 27-26 edge.

“I thought that would energize us,” said Coach Carmody, “but in the second half, we had no energy, no energy on the bench.”

Connor Ryan led Moon (16-4, 8-2) with 16 points. Austin Ryan added 13 and Nate D'Amico 10.

Mars will clinch the section title with a victory in its final two section games (Tuesday vs. Chartiers Valley, Friday vs. Hampton).

“It is time for us to get back to practice and sure some things up,” said Coach Carmody. “I expect us to bounce back.”

MARS 43

Cade Hetzler 1 2-2 4, Michael Carmody 1 2-2 4, Andrew Recchia 3 0-2 6, Brandon Caruso 1 0-0 2, Robby Carmody 11 3-4 27. Totals: 17 7-10 43.

MOON 58

Jioni Smith 2 0-2 4, Brady Sunday 4 0-2 8, Austin Ryan 5 0-0 13, Connor Ryan 2 12-12 16, Taru Jones 3 0-0 7, Nate D'amico 3 2-2 10. Totals: 19 14-18 58.

Mars 11 16 8 8 — 43

Moon18 8 12 20 — 58

3-point goals: R.Carmody 2; A.Ryan 3, D'Amico 2, Jones

Tuesday: Chartiers Valley at Mars