Both the Bow Falcons and Laconia Sachems girls’ basketball teams expected some growing pains moving up to Division II, but neither coach is making any excuses.

The Falcons (2-1) committed 26 fouls and sent the Sachems (1-2) to the line 32 times, but Laconia only converted on 10, allowing Bow to survive with a 38-34 victory on its home court.

“The game was an absolute mess. It was the worst game I’ve ever witnessed,” Bow Coach Bill Vermette said. “I have no explanation for what went on. It was very bizarre.”

The Falcons jumped out to an 11-8 first quarter lead and extended their lead to 24-15 at halftime in a game marred by fouls and jump balls.

“It seemed like every time the whistle blew it was a foul or a jump ball. It was crazy. I’ve been coaching a long time and I don’t ever remember a game similar to tonight,” Vermette said.

Bow got into foul trouble late when two players fouled out, but saw some great play off the bench from freshman guard Taylor Burnham, who Vermette referred to as, “the bright light” of the game. However, the Falcons sent Laconia’s top scorer, senior guard Helen Tautkus (12 points) to the line 17 times, and were fortunate that she only connected on four.Laconia committed 22 fouls, also sending the Falcons to the line several times. Thanks to players like junior guard Lea Crompton (14 points), junior forward Patty Nordin (nine points, 5-for-6 from free-throw line) and sophomore guard Megan Remick (seven points), Bow generated enough offense to hold a 30-21 lead heading into the final frame.

“Tonight we shot 10-for-32 from the free throw line. Without converting from the charity stripe it’s going to be hard to win games,” Laconia Coach Jeff Greeley said, “but I commend the athletes will to compete.”

Led by Tautkus and sophomore guard Hannah Dow (six points), the Sachems chipped away at the Falcons’ lead, cutting the deficit to two points with two and half minutes left in the game, but missed too many opportunities to close the gap any more.

“We were fortunate. We were very, very lucky to win the game,” Vermette said. “We just didn’t play well at all. We didn’t show any patience. We were out-rebounded ... Yeah we’re young, we only have one senior. But right now we’re playing extremely soft. We’re not big. We had bad combinations. Our problems are going to continue until we straighten some of that stuff out.”

The Falcons, who still haven’t dropped below .500 in their return to D-II, have another home game on Thursday against Plymouth.

Laconia hosts Hollis-Brookline on Friday.