WELLSTON, Ohio — A 47-22 surge over the middle quarters ultimately provided host Wellston with ample breathing room Tuesday night during an 80-47 victory over the Eastern boys basketball team in a non-conference matchup in Jackson County.

The visiting Eagles (3-10) trailed 17-11 after eight minutes of play and never came closer, as the Golden Rockets (7-6) extended its lead with a 24-15 second quarter charge en route to a comfortable 41-26 cushion at the break.

WHS kept that momentum going in the second half, using a 23-7 surge in the third canto for a sizable 64-33 lead headed into the finale. EHS kept things respectable in the fourth, but the guests were still outscored 17-14 down the stretch to wrap up the 33-point decision.

Brent Welch led the Eagles with 14 points, followed by Kirk Pullins with 13 points and Christian Speelman with seven markers. Troy Gantt and Daschle Facemyer each contributed five points, while Max Carnahan and Cameron Richmond respectively rounded out the scoring with two points and one marker. EHS was 8-of-11 at the free throw line for 73 percent.

Justus Ousley paced the hosts with a game-high 28 points, followed by Toriano Smith with 12 markers. Andrew Richards and Dakota Brown also added 11 points apiece for the Rockets, who went 11-of-19 at the charity stripe for 58 percent.

The Eagles have now dropped two straight decisions and six of their last seven contests overall.