POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — A strong finish gives the Big Blacks their second win of the season over GAHS.

The Point Pleasant boys basketball team out scored the Blue Devils by 11 points in the second half en route to a 61-48 victory Tuesday night in Mason County.

PPHS (6-9) took the early lead after out scoring Gallia Academy (6-14) 13-to-7 in the opening period. The Blue Devils went on a 12-to-8 run in the second period, cutting the Big Blacks lead to two points at the midway point.

After the break Point Pleasant went on a 18-to-12 run, expanding its lead to eight points headed into the finale. Gallia Academy scored 17 points over the final eight minutes but the Big Blacks scored 22 to seal the 61-58 victory.

Dillon McCarty scored 22 points to pace PPHS, while Wade Martin finished with 18. Alex Somerville chipped in with 12 points but was the only player to foul out on the night. Adam Slack added five points, while Aden Yates rounded out the Point Pleasant scoring with four. The Big Blacks shot 11-of-17 from the free throw line for 64.7 percent.

Justin Bailey led Gallia Academy with 12 points in the game, followed by Wes Jarrell with 11. Cody Call had nine points, Reid Eastman marked eight, and Nick Clagg added four. Jimmy Clagg and Seth Atkins each finished with two points to round out the GAHS scoring. The Blue Devils were 12-of-23 from the charity stripe for 52.2 percent.

The Big Blacks, who have won five of their last six games, also defeated Gallia Academy on January 15th in Centenary by a count of 68-58.