BRUNSWICK — When the Brunswick girls’ basketball schedule was released, the Dragons, coming off a miserable 2-16 season, were set to open at home against Eastern Class A champion Cony followed by Edward Little.

The smart thinking was to get the two hard ones out of the way, learn from mistakes and get better as the season went on.

Thing is, Brunswick downed Cony in Friday’s Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference opener and led the Red Eddies 50-43 with 6:41 remaining in regulation. Was a surprising 2-0 start on the horizon?

EL had other ideas, presuring the Dragons and coming back to tie the game at 53 through regulation, then getting a hoop from Emily Jacques off a pass from Tianna Harriman for a 67-66 double-overtime win and a 2-0 start to the season.

“We lost, but the last three quarters of the game no one worried about screwing up and just played, and if you can play like that and everyone contributes, you have to be pleased,” said Brunswick coach Sam Farrell. “We are not pleased to have lost, but this team realizes that they can compete with the best teams in this league.”

EL coach Craig Jipson echoed Farrell’s comments.

“They are a good basketball team with two stars,” he said. “Julia Champagne and (Lyse) Henshaw are willing them to win. Champagne is playing like a warrior, and it was a game where there is no loser. Both teams played with heart and passion. I think Brunswick will win 12 or 13 games this year.”

Champagne had 31 points, while Henshaw poured in 24, including four 3-pointers.

“My teammates gave me some great passes, and I just took it hard to the basket tonight,” said Champagne, who praised Henshaw. “Lyse and I work well as a team. When I pass out to her, I know that I can count her.”

Kory Norcross and Jacques led the Red Eddies with 17 points each, while Harriman chipped in 13 and Brooke Reynolds 12, all coming after halftime.

EL came out strong, getting three treys from Norcross while jumping out to a 15-6 lead with 1:29 remaining in the first quarter. The Red Eddies led 19-11 through eight minutes.

Brunswick battled back in the second. Down 23-13, the Dragons put together a 10-0 run to tie the game as Champagne scored eight points, including the tying bucket with 3:15 left until halftime.

Norcross answered with a three-point play and her fourth and final 3-pointer for a quick 6-0 spurt, and the Red Eddies carried a 33-27 edge the half.

Brunswick continued to find ways of breaking EL’s press, and the Dragons to their first lead since early in the opening quarter when Champagne drove hard to the basket for a 36-35 lead.

“It’s five girls breaking the press, cutting back and making good cuts,” said Farrell of his team’s success. “When we got in trouble, we had two or three girls breaking through. We have five kids who can handle the ball.”

Leading 45-43 after three quarters, the Dragons put together a 5-0 run to open the fourth for their biggest lead, 50-43.

Brunswick sophomore guard Emily Black picked up her fifth foul, and the Red Eddies’ press worked for the first time, forcing Brunswick into several turnovers.

“We dropped balls and just missed passes,” said Farrell of his team’s fourth-quarter struggles. “I think it was more of what we were doing rather than EL doing something different.”

A 7-0 EL run tied the game as Jacques sank two free throw for a 50-50 deadlock with 3:21 remaining, and Reynolds drove hard to the hoop off a pass from Norcross for a 52-50 lead moments later.

Brunswick refused to go away. Henshaw made one of two from the foul line, and Champagne, after missing a pair at the charity stripe, redeemed herself with two free throws for a 53-52 Brunswick edge.

“We couldn’t have asked for more from this team. Everyone has a role, and they are doing their thing,” said Champagne, who watched Jacques sink a free throw with eight seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.

With Brunswick leading 57-56, Norcross fouled out and Gillian Doehring made one of two at the line.

Jacques came to the rescue, driving the basket and scoring with six seconds remaining to send the game to a second overtime, with Norcross cheering her teammates on.

“What I was happy about was Kory’s attitude after she fouled out of this classic game,” said Jipson. “She was the loudest, most positive kid on the bench. Her leadership was exceptional.”

In the second overtime, the lead changed hands seven times. Henshaw swished a 3-pointer to give the Dragons a 61-60 lead, and Champagne’s final points with 21 seconds left gave Brunswick a 66-65 advantage.

Jipson called timeout, and once again Jacques lifted her team, scoring with 6.5 seconds left.

“I was nervous about the shot, but it’s all about confidence there,” said Jacques. “This is a big win. We came out here, not thinking much of Brunswick, but they gave us a great game and we had to struggle through. They have improved a lot. Their shooting and dribbling were great.”

Brunswick was 21 of 58 from the floor (38 percent), while EL finished 23 of 67 (34 percent). The Red Eddies were 15 of 24 from the foul line, while the Dragons were 20 of 37.

EL held a 46-34 rebounding edge, led by Reynolds (12 boards), Eraleena Hairston (11) and Jacques (10). Harriman dished out four assists.

Henshaw led the Dragons with 10 rebounds and five steals, with Doehring dishing out four assists and Champagne three.

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