ELIZABETHTOWN — East Bladen hung with visiting West Columbus for 16 minutes, but a 22-3 blitz to open the second half propelled the Vikings to a 67-47 Three Rivers Conference win Tuesday.
The loss drops the Eagles to 0-4 overall and in the conference.
After a three-pointer by Sincere Smith gave East Bladen a 3-0 edge, West Columbus went on an 11-0 run. Messiah leach canned a three-pointer and Smith added four points during a 9-0 Eagles burst, but the visitors finished the first quarter with an 8-0 run to take a 19-12 edge.
Adonis Avery’s three-point shot provided the second-quarter highlight for East Bladen and the Eagles outscored the Vikings by a 13-10 margin, but West Columbus took a 29-25 advantage into halftime.
The visitors returned from the intermission on fire and went on a 22-7 outburst that opened a 51-32 lead by the end of the third quarter.
The two teams all but traded points through the fourth frame, with West Columbus getting the better of it by a 16-15 margin to seal the 20-point win. Pierce Melvin’s three-pointer and Avery added six points in the quarter for East Bladen.
Smith posted a double-double for the Eagles with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Avery led East Bladen with 18 points.