BANGOR — Richmond turned what looked like a rout into a competitive contest in the second half of the Class D boys' basketball state championship game Saturday.

The Bobcats cut a 17-point deficit to four in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Woodland’s poised seniors, who held on for 49-43 victory and their first state championship.

“We’ve been working at this, us seniors, since fourth grade,” Woodland point guard Chad James said. “We’ve put in a lot of time together and we have a lot of team chemistry.”

James scored 16 of his 23 points in the first half to stake the Dragons to a 33-20 lead. The Bobcats came roaring back, outscoring Woodland 13-5 in the third quarter. Bruce Carver scored eight of team-high 13 points in the quarter, but the biggest change for Richmond came at the defensive end, where the team collaborated to stop Woodland’s dribble penetration.

“In the first half we didn’t step and take charges,” Richmond Coach Phil Houdlette said. “We were up in the air trying to block the shot.”

The Bobcats drew three offensive fouls in the second half, but it was a foul against Carver late in the fourth quarter that turned the momentum back toward the Dragons.

“We were starting to play our basketball,” Richmond junior Eric Murrin said. “Then all of a sudden they got a charge on Bruce. I think that’s what really changed the game.”

The Bobcats had closed with 43-37 before Carver was called for a charge. They made it 47-43 on a putback by Michael Christie but were forced to foul, and Scott Boomer put the game away with two freethrows.

The Dragons were held to four baskets in the second half, but they outscored the Bobcats 17-2 for the game from the free-throw line.

“Once this team gets to the foul line, we pretty much close out the deal,” Woodland Coach Troy Cilley said.Murrin finished with 12 points, and sophomore Kyle O’Brien came off the bench to contribute 10 points and six rebounds.

James was Woodland’s only double figure scorer. Junior Corey Rolfe scored nine points and grabbed 13 rebounds, Ben Sears scored eight points and Aaron St. Pierre had six.

James and Sears both topped 1,000 career points during the season and along with St. Pierre are three-year starters. They combined to dominate the first half, helping Woodland take a 20-10 lead after one quarter.The Bobcats grabbed a little momentum when Murrin threw in a 30-footer at the halftime buzzer to cut Woodland’s lead to 13 points.

Richmond rode that momentum in the third quarter and began scoring against Woodland’s 1-3-1 halfcourt trap.

“Some of the shots they were making were off broken plays,” Cilley said.

Richmond, which graduated the bulk of a team that lost in the state final last year, finishes at 17-3.

“In the beginning of the season no one thought we were going anywhere,” Murrin said.

Conversely, Woodland returned most of the team that reached the regional final a year ago. The Dragons finished 16-7, but six of those losses came against Class C opponents, and they avenged one by beating Class C state finalist Calais in its conference championship game.

“Last year, losing in the (Eastern Maine final), it was really a lot of motivation to get back here with the same group and do what we wanted to do all those years,” James said.