In its last outing earlier in the week, the North Union boys basketball team needed a second-half outburst to defeat Fairbanks.
The Wildcats used the opposite approach Thursday night on the road at Bellefontaine.
Picking up 24 points in the first quarter, North Union (8-1) never looked back en route to a 61-38 victory over the Chieftains (0-10).
The opening-quarter surge helped the Wildcats hold 36-19 lead at the half and a 52-27 edge with one quarter left to play.
“We challenged our guys before the game to play four quarters,” NU head coach Brian Terrill said. “We rebounded pretty well and played a pretty clean game with only seven turnovers.”
Owen Davis led NU in scoring with 18 points and Aaron Krebehenne added 16 markers.
Bellefontaine was paced by Riley Neer with 11 points.
The schedule over next two weeks is going to be challenging for North Union.
“We have three ‘big boy’ games in a row,” Terrill said.
The Wildcats will be hosting Ridgemont (8-1) on Tuesday followed by Indian Lake, which leads the Central Buckeye Conference in scoring at 63 points per game, on the road on Jan. 7. They then play at home against Jonathan Alder on Jan. 11. The Pioneers are the top defensive team in the league, allowing just 27 points per game.
North Union
Draper 2-0-5, Vernon 4-0-8, Parish 3-0-9, Davis 8-2-18, A. Krebehenne 7-1-16. Hall 2-0-5. Three-point goals: Parish 3, Krebehenne, Draper, Hall.
Bellefontaine
Neer 5-0-11, Scott 1-0-3, Snapp 2-0-4, Wilson 3-3-9, Huthinsm 4-1-9, Overton-Story 0-2-2.