WATERFORD, Ohio — A 19-6 third quarter charge allowed host Waterford some breathing room before ultimately claiming a 54-32 victory over the South Gallia girls basketball team Thursday night in a Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division matchup in Washington County.

The visiting Lady Rebels (5-3, 5-2 TVC Hocking) fell behind 14-8 after eight minutes of play, then the Lady Wildcats (6-2, 6-1) followed with a small 14-13 run to secure a 28-21 advantage headed into the break.

WHS made its big surge at the start of the second half for a sizable 47-27 lead headed into the finale, then the hosts closed regulation with a small 7-5 run to wrap up the 22-point outcome.

Rachel Johnson led the guests with 10 points, followed by Meghan Caldwell with eight points and Jasmyne Johnson with six markers. Mikayla Poling also had five points in the setback.

Lesley Small had two points for SGHS, while Sara Bailey rounded out the scoring with one points. The Lady Rebels — who had a four-game winning streak snapped — went 2-of-9 at the free throw line for 22 percent.

Chelsey Paxton paced Waterford with a game-high 14 points, followed by Brooke Drayer with 12 markers.Taylor Hilverding and Regan Porter each contributed six points to the winning cause as well. WHS was 4-of-11 at the charity stripe for 36 percent.