Merrimack's Owen Ponder gets past Londonderry's Ben Sakellar during the third quarter of Londonderry's 71-51 win on Friday. (Photo by Dan Doyon).

LONDONDERRY – Through a total of six games to open the season, the Merrimack High School boys basketball team executed well offensively.

Then came Friday night’s game against Londonderry.

Merrimack scored only two points during nearly a 10-minute stretch during the first half and Londonderry capitalized to hand the Tomahawks their first Division I loss via a 71-51 decision.

“It was tough,” Merrimack coach Austin Denton said. “I thought we were a little selfish tonight. We didn’t move the ball like we’ve been doing and we really didn’t defend and that’s a recipe for disaster.”

Merrimack (3-1) entered the holiday break with a 72-68 victory over Spaulding before going 2-1 in the Greater Lowell Holiday Tournament.

“That was the first time we’ve struggled offensively,” Denton said. “We went down to Mass. and scored at will averaging between 60-70 points. We came out tonight and we thought we were too big for our britches and that’s what happens.”

Merrimack jumped out to a 7-2 lead following a 3-pointer by Nate Johnson, but that would be the last field goal the Tomahawks would get until a 3-point play by Johnson with 4:33 left in the second quarter.

Londonderry (3-3) went on a 10-0 run following its early deficit and Merrimack’s only points during 10 minutes of futility came when Brody Towle was fouled on a half-court heave at the buzzer. Towle sank two free throws to bring Merrimack with 12-9 heading to the second quarter.

Evan Vago (19 points) opened the quarter with back-to-back 3-pointers for Londonderry and the Lancers stretched their lead 25-15 following a pair of Davis Magarian hoops in the paint. Ben Sakellar followed his drive with a dish to Chares Tharington, before Johson sliced the deficit to 31-23 at halftime.

“Our physical toughness was there tonight,” Londonderry coach Jaryd Piecuch said. “Merrimack is probably the most physical team around and they play very tough defense and we matched their intensity defensively. We played tough basketball across the board. Every kid came out ready to play.”

The game truly spiraled away from Merrimack when Londonderry outscored the Tomahawks 18-6 in the third quarter. A 3-point play by Nathan Mbuyi gave the Lancers a 36-25 lead before the lead expanded to 49-29 entering the fourth quarter.

“I talked about it before the game that we had to be the more aggressive team and we were not the more aggressive team,” Denton said. “We were kind of laid back and they beat us up. They were the more aggressive team. They went for the ball, got what and got wherever they wanted.”

Denton reminded his team that despite the disappointing result that there is still a whole season ahead. Merrimack will have a week off before next Friday’s home game against Manchester Central.

“I told the kids it only counts as one loss,” Denton said. “It all depends on how you react to that. Do you come back and battle or lay down and say we’re not there yet? Now we have to come back and fight and we have a week to get ready for Central on Friday.”