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METHUEN — Andover sophomore Nicole Boudreau spent the first three quarters of the Greater Lawrence Christmas Tournament championship game pouring in 3-pointers.

Her nine baskets from beyond the arc built a 24-point Andover lead over Central Catholic entering the fourth quarter yesterday.

Boudreau then spent the final period making some clutch free throws after Central stormed back to cut the deficit to 10 points with 2:35 left.

Boudreau knocked down 4 of 4 free throws over the next 28 seconds to build the lead back up to 14 points and clinch the Golden Warriors' 86-74 victory over archrival Central Catholic.

"We practice foul shots a lot because we know if it comes down to a big situation like that we need to step up," Boudreau said. "I was just taking deep breaths, trying to clear my mind and just shoot."

Boudreau put on a show.

She scored 39 points on 9-of-12 shooting from 3-point range. She was 6 of 6 from the free throw line. She grabbed seven rebounds, recorded four assists and made four steals. She also had three monster blocks.

She was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

"She's a special player as everyone knows," coach Jim Tildsley said about Boudreau. "She was really on tonight. That was a shooting exhibition that I've never really seen. I had a player Charlotte Muller who used to get in those streaks. She (Boudreau) reminded me of Charlotte — probably the best player I've ever had."

Muller was a 1998 Andover graduate and a four-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star who scored 1,616 career points and netted 204 3-pointers. She led Andover to the state final and was named the Eagle-Tribune MVP as a junior.

"She (Boudreau) is a great player but you can't let anyone score 39 points against you and expect to win a game," Central coach Sue Downer said. "My team showed up for the third quarter and part of the fourth. You can't beat a good team like Andover just showing up for those spots."

Boudreau was all over the court. She sprinted full speed to block a 3-point attempt by Courtney Williams near the corner. She fired a lead outlet pass to Natalie Gomez-Martinez who sprinted in for a layup with five seconds left in the first half.

Boudreau then nailed three 3-pointers over a 1:13 stretch later in the third quarter.

"I think everyone knows that when she's that hot, just give it to her," Gomez-Martinez said. "You can't not give it to her."

Gomez-Martinez added four 3-pointers and scored 20 points.

"Tonight I felt it," Gomez-Martinez said. "And that's what I want to keep doing. My games is driving (to the basket) but I want to keep shooting 3-pointers."

Andover beat Central both times the schools met last year.

The first win was 77-54 in early January when Boudreau scored 9-of-11 attempts from 3-point range and finished with 30 points. The other victory was in early February when Andover won 61-54 and Boudreau scored 24.

Dianna Bill did a nice job guarding Central star Katie Zenevitch yesterday. She held the 6-3 center to just six points in the first half and four points in the third quarter.

Zenevitch did pick up some steam in the fourth when she netted 14 points.

"Katie is just an outstanding player and she (Bill) made her work for all her baskets," Tildsley said. "That's all we wanted her to do. She worked her butt off."