PEDRO, Ohio — A good start led to better finish for the Gallia Academy boys basketball team Saturday night during a 56-40 season-opening victory over Rock Hill in a non-conference matchup in Lawrence County.

The visiting Blue Devils (1-0) shot 48 percent from the field while jumping out to leads of 15-7 and 33-17 through two periods of play. The Redmen (0-1) never came within single digits the rest of the way, as both teams netted 23 points apiece in the second half — allowing GAHS to secure the 16-point triumph.

Gallia Academy — which led 43-29 through three quarter of play — connected on 21-of-44 field goal attempts and were also 11-of-20 at the free throw line for 55 percent. RHHS outrebounded the guests by a 32-29 overall margin and also went 13-of-47 from the floor for 28 percent. The hosts were also 11-of-16 at the charity stripe for 69 percent and committed 19 turnovers, compared to just 15 for GAHS.

Reid Eastman led Gallia Academy with 12 points, followed by Cody Call and Jimmy Clagg with nine marker each. Nick Clagg added seven points to the winning cause, followed by Justin Bailey with six points and Aaron Jackson with five markers.

Seth Atkins and Wes Jarrell rounded out the scoring with four and two points, respectively. Bailey and Clagg both hauled in five rebounds apiece in the victory.

Austin Collins paced Rock Hill with a double-double effort of 10 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Layden Delawder with nine points and Joey Stidham with seven markers.