NEW MIDDLETOWN — When the McDonald girls basketball team returned to its locker room, cheers could be heard from center court at Springfield High School.

The players celebrated not only a win, but the first time the senior class bested the Tigers, with the Blue Devils holding on for a 43-42 victory Monday night.

“Me and my (other) senior, Cierra (Shiley), we never beat Springfield before, so it was a good feeling for us,” McDonald senior guard Juliana Krumpak said.

The Blue Devils (12-7, 9-5, Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Scarlet Tier) led 17-7 midway through the second quarter. But the Tigers went on a 9-0 run in the second half of the period to cut the deficit to 17-16.

Springfield (10-10, 9-5 MVAC Scarlet) had a shot at taking the lead, but a double dribble resulted in the Blue Devils holding the one-point lead heading into the locker room.

The Tigers got the first basket of the second half to take an 18-17 lead. Then McDonald briefly went in front, triggering the first of four lead changes in the third quarter.

However, much like the second quarter, the Tigers went on a run in the close minutes of the frame. They scored eight straight points to get some control.

Krumpak sank a half-court shot to cut the Tigers’ lead to 30-26 to end the third.

Two free throws by Krumpak tied the game at 30. Less than two minutes later, a three by Springfield’s Makenna Wymer tied the game again at 34 with 4:41 to play.

Madison Homa put the Blue Devils back in front with a layup on their next possession. Then the Devils’ defense began to make an impact.

Springfield got a couple baskets, but steals gave McDonald a couple extra possessions and helped work the clock.

With 58.8 seconds to play, McDonald led 43-38.

But the Tigers still had some fight.

Julia Vecchione drove from one end to the other for a layup, cutting the deficit to three with 35.1 to play. Springfield picked up a few fouls to get into the bonus, and Krumpak missed a pair at the free-throw line to keep the Tigers in it.

Springfield head coach John Matisi called timeout with 12.6 to set up a potential game-tying play. Regan Rogenski’s attempt was partially blocked and the Tigers got a layup, but there wasn’t enough time to foul to continue the game.

“We know they run that play,” McDonald head coach Tyler Kilbourne said. “I’m so glad Sophia (Pecchia) fought through the screen. They score a lot on that, so quality scouting report.”

Rogenski and Wymer both finished with 11 points as the Tigers’ top scorers.

Krumpak led all scorers with 13 points, Homa was right behind with 12 and Shiley added eight.

The Blue Devils are hitting their stride at the right time. Monday’s win was their fifth straight with only a road trip to Mineral Ridge on Thursday and a home meeting with Chaney on Feb. 10 still left on the schedule.

But they will take a couple days to enjoy the win before thinking about the final week of the regular season or the tournament.

“Last chance to do it, and they ended up pulling it off,” Kilbourne said. “I was really happy for them. Since I got the job, that’s probably the best win in the program.

“Springfield’s been a good program for a very long time, so being able to pull out that win is awesome.”

Matisi was unavailable after the game for comment.