By Amara Grautski, Globe Correspondent

Coming off its first Middlesex League title in 30 years, Reading wasn't set-up this season to continue that success.

The Rockets graduated five all-star starters, and their promising center, 6-foot-tall sophomore Melissa DalPozzo, tore her ACL in their first game of the year. Reading coach Kim Penney said the pressure was on 17th ranked Melrose heading into the two teams' Middlesex League meeting last night. But even though the Red Raiders defeated No. 15 Reading earlier in the season, the Rockets pulled out the 49-40 win.

"Melrose is a great team, so for my team to beat them showed a lot of heart," Penney said.

The Rockets' scoring was led by freshman Olivia Healy (14 points, 11 rebounds) and junior Carlene Kluge (10 points, seven rebounds, five assists).

Reading trailed by a point at halftime. Although Hannah Brickley (18 points) provided balanced offense for the Red Raiders, the key to Reading's win was shutting down Colleen Hanscom. Penney said senior guard Deshanthi Perera (seven points) showed excellent defense against Hanscom, who scored all nine of her points before the break.

Defense was the difference maker between this meeting and their last — Reading (12-2, 12-2 Middlesex League) only surrendered eight turnovers and held Melrose (14-2, 12-2 league) to only five points in the fourth quarter.

The win puts Reading, Melrose, and 16th ranked Stoneham all in a first-place tie in the league.

"I'm just proud of them, that they're creating their own identity," Penney said. "That's our goal is to be the best we can every day. I'm just proud that they're getting better every day, because that's the sign of a very good team."