COLLIER TWP — Mount Lebanon entered Saturday's WPIAL Quad-A boys basketball first-round playoff with the district's top-ranked defense.

But it was Seneca Valley that came up with the game's most crucial stops.

The 14th-seeded Raiders forced four of Mt. Lebanon's eight turnovers in the fourth quarter and made 12 free throws in the period to pull out a 45-42 win at Chartiers Valley High School.

SV (14-9) will face Gateway, a 67-50 winner over Penn-Trafford, in a quarterfinal battle Saturday at a site and time to be determined.

“We were disappointed about being the 14th seed,” said Raiders coach Victor Giannotta following Saturday's victory, “but we turned it around and said, ‘Boy, Mount Lebanon must be really upset to be playing us in the first round.'

“We played with a lot of passion out there, but that's what comes from playing in our section,” said Giannotta. “This was a playoff game, but it was no different than one of our section games.”

SV's Matt Smith made 1-of-2 free throws with seven seconds left, giving the Raiders a three-point edge.

Mt. Lebanon had a chance to tie, but Easton Bazzoli blocked Chris Bendel's shot from beyond the arc as time ran out.

It was Bazzoli's fourth block of the final quarter.

“Easton had a tremendous fourth quarter with the blocks,” said Giannotta. “But the whole team did a great job defensively. They were all rotating properly.”

The Blue Devils (17-6) gave up an average of just 43.5 points per game during the regular season, but SV proved just a bit better.

“We're a very good defensive team,” said Bazzoli. “We normally don't give up many points.”

The Raiders trailed 34-33 with under four minutes left in the game before taking advantage of a pair of technical fouls called on the Blue Devils.

Kamic Anyang was whistled for charging with 3:22 left on the clock and Mt. Lebanon coach, Joe David, threw his arms up in the air in protest of the call.

The motion earned David a technical foul. Seconds later, Anyang directed a few words toward the same official and was also called for a technical foul and was ejected from the game.

“It was ridiculous,” said David. “I did not curse or say anything smart to the official. I did flail my arms because I did not agree with the charge call and I get called for a technical because of that?

“I've had one technical in 11 years,” added David. “This was a terrible situation. Let the players decide the game.”

Alex Maxfield hit three of the four free throws following the two technical fouls to give the Raiders a 36-34 lead.

Troy Apke then tied the game with a bucket for the Blue Devils, but Bazzoli came up with one of his blocks on Mt. Lebanon's next possession as he denied Matt Hoffman on the baseline.

Maxfield and Austin Bream then made both of their free throws on consecutive trips to the free-throw line for a 40-36 edge with 1:12 on the clock.

Mt. Lebanon would not draw closer than two points the rest of the game.

Maxfield led all scorers with 16 points, while teammate Chad Albert had 13 rebounds.

The Raiders outrebounded Mt. Lebanon 30-20.

“(Seneca Valley) is big and strong and we knew that coming in,” said David. “Vic does a great job with that team and I wish them well.”

Tyler Roth, Hoffman and Anyang each scored 10 for the Blue Devils.

SENECA VALLEY 45Matt Smith 5 3-5 14, Easton Bazzoli 2 0-0 4, Chad Albert 2 1-2 5, Alex Maxfield 3 10-14 16, Austin Bream 1 4-6 6, Ryan McCauley 0 0-2 0, Alex Snyder 0 0-2 0.

Totals: 13 18-31 45.

MOUNT LEBANON 42Troy Apke 3 0-0 6, Jon David 1 0-0 2, Luke Hagy 2 0-0 4, Tyler Roth 5 0-1 10, Kamic Anyang 3 2-2 10, Matt Hoffman 5 0-0 10, Chris Bendel 0 0-0 0, Justin David 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 19 2-3 42.

Seneca Valley 6 7 16 16—45Mount Lebanon 4 13 8 17—423-point goals: Seneca Valley 1 (Smith); Mount Lebanon 2 (Anyang 2).

Saturday: Seneca Valley vs. Gateway, WPIAL Quad A quarterfinal, site and time TBD