MASON, W.Va. — Score one for the defense.

A 15-0 third quarter charge allowed the Wahama boys basketball team to start its home season in style Tuesday night during a 61-49 victory over Waterford in a Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division matchup in Mason County.

The White Falcons (1-1, 1-1 TVC Hocking) and visiting Wildcats (0-2, 0-2) were evenly-matched throughout most of the contest, but that pivotal third quarter surge ultimately proved to be the difference-maker in the outcome.

Both squads produced nine points apiece in the opening quarter, but Waterford countered with a 22-19 run in the second canto for a slim 31-28 edge at the intermission.

Wahama’s rally out of halftime allowed the hosts to take a comfortable 43-31 cushion into the finale, where both teams traded 18 points each to wrap up the 12-point decision.

The White Falcons were outrebounded by the guests by a 38-35 margin, but Wahama committed only nine turnovers in the contest — compared to 17 by the Wildcats. Both teams also combined for 10 treifectas in the contest, with Waterford making seven of those shots from beyond the arc.

Isaac Lee led the hosts with game-highs of 20 points and nine rebounds, followed by Wyatt Zuspan with 15 points and Austin Jordan with 13 points. Jacob Ortiz added seven points to the winning cause, while Hunter Oliver and Tyler Roush chipped in respective totals of three and two markers.

Derek Hysell rounded out the Wahama scoring with one point. The White Falcons were 10-of-19 at the free throw line for 53 percent. Zuspan and Oliver also contributed eight caroms apiece.

Austin Hilverding paced the guests with 16 points, followed by Austin Shriver with 10 points and Tate Lang with seven markers. Waterford was 8-of-12 at the charity stripe for 67 percent.

Wahama returns to action Friday night when it travels to Mercerville for a TVC Hocking matchup with South Gallia at 6 p.m.

Wahama 61, Waterford 49

WAT 9-22-0-18 — 49

WAH 9-19-15-18 — 61

WATERFORD (0-2, 0-2 TVC Hocking): Brian Moore 0 1-2 1, Eli Strahler 3 0-0 6, Austin Hilverding 4 4-6 16, Eric Arnold 0 0-0 0, Braden Burer 0 0-0 0, Austin Shriver 4 0-0 10, Matt West 2 0-0 5, Tyler Pyatt 2 0-0 4, Tate Lang 2 3-4 7. TOTALS: 17 8-12 49. Three-point goals: 7 (Hilverding 4, Shriver 2, West). Rebounds: 38. Turnovers: 17.

WAHAMA (1-1, 1-1 TVC Hocking): Isaac Lee 9 1-2 20, Wyatt Zuspan 6 2-7 15, Tyler Roush 1 0-0 2, Austin Jordan 5 2-3 13, Hunter Oliver 0 3-4 3, Derek Hysell 0 1-2 1, Jacob Ortiz 3 1-1 7. TOTALS: 24 10-19 61. Three-point goals: 3 (Lee, Zuspan, Jordan). Rebounds: 35. Turnovers: 9.