TUPPERS PLAINS — The Eastern girls basketball team claimed its eighth straight victory and kept its league title hopes alive in the process Thursday night during an impressive 55-38 decision over visiting Federal Hocking in a Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division matchup in Meigs County.

The host Lady Eagles (17-1, 7-1 TVC Hocking) — ranked seventh in the latest Division IV AP poll — went on the defensive against the Lady Lancers (7-11, 3-5), allowing fewer and fewer points as the game progressed.

The Green and White stormed out to a 16-12 advantage after eight minutes of play, then went on a 12-10 second quarter spurt for a 28-22 halftime lead.

EHS kept its momentum churning in the second half, going on an 11-9 run in the third canto to take a 39-31 edge into the finale.

The Lady Eagles relentless defensive effort finally caught up with the guests down the stretch, as Eastern closed the game with a 16-7 charge to wrap up the 17-point outcome.

With the victory, Eastern claimed a season sweep of Fed Hock after posting a 61-56 triumph at Stewart back on January 19. The Lady Eagles also remain one game behind league-leading Waterford (8-0 TVC Hocking)in the standings.

Eastern had nine different players score in the contest, with Allie Rawson and Emeri Connery leading the way with 12 points apiece. Beverly Maxson was next with seven markers, followed by Audrionna Pullins with six and Brenna Holter with five.

Kasey Turley and Ashley Putnam both contributed four points, Hayley Gillian added three and Brooke Johnson rounded things out with two points.

Julie Vinson led the Lady Lancers with a game-high 14 points. Chanda Cuckler — who scored a game-high 31 points in the first matchup — was limited to just eight markers, while Hannah McKibben added six points.

Eastern returns to action Monday when it travels to Corning for a TVC Hocking matchup with Miller at 6 p.m.