TUPPERS PLAINS, Ohio — The Eastern girls basketball team claimed its fifth straight victory of the season Wednesday night during a convincing 61-21 decision over visiting Southern in a Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division matchup at the Eagles’ Nest.

The Lady Eagles (6-1, 6-1 TVC Hocking) never trailed in the contest, as the hosts jumped out to a 19-4 advantage after eight minutes of play. The Lady Tornadoes (1-9, 1-6), however, kept pace with EHS in the second canto, as both teams traded six points apiece en route to a 25-10 halftime margin.

Eastern seized early control of the second half, as the hosts went on a 17-3 surge in the third period for a comfortable 42-13 cushion headed into the finale. The Lady Eagles closed regulation with a 17-8 spurt to wrap up the 40-point triumph.

Eastern outrebounded the guests by a sizable 44-19 margin and also forced Southern to commit 32 turnovers in the contest. EHS, which made 14 turnovers, also handed the Lady Tornadoes their seventh straight setback.

The hosts connected on 24-of-66 field goal attempts for 36 percent and were also 8-of-15 at the free throw line for 53 percent.

Jenna Burdette led Eastern with a game-high 19 points, followed by Katie Keller with 12 points and Erin Swatzel with nine markers. Savannah Hawley, Hayley Gillian and Maddie Rigsby all contributed five points apiece, while Brenna Holter and Gabby Hendrix respectively rounded out the scoring with four and two markers.

SHS made 9-of-34 field goal attempts for 27 percent and also went 3-of-10 at the charity stripe for 30 percent.

Courtney Thomas paced the guests with 10 points, followed by Morgan McMillan with four markers. Celestia Hendrix and Sarah Lawrence followed with three points apiece, while Emily Ash rounded out the scoring with one marker.

It was the second time this week and fourth time this year that Eastern held an opponent to under 23 points. The Lady Eagles defeated Federal Hocking earlier in the week by a 61-13 count.

Eastern returns to action Saturday when it travels to Meigs for a non-conference matchup at 6 p.m. Southern travels to South Gallia Monday for a TVC Hocking matchup at 6 p.m.

Eastern 61, Southern 21

S4-6-3-8 — 21

E 19-6-17-17 — 61

SOUTHERN (1-9, 1-6 TVC Hocking): Jordan Huddleston 0 0-0 0, Angie Eynon 0 0-0 0, Courtney Thomas 5 0-2 10, Brittany Cogar 0 0-0 0, Morgan McMillan 2 0-0 4, Emily Ash 0 1-2 1, Jessica Riffle 0 0-0 0, Celestia Hendrix 1 1-2 3, Caitlyn Cowdery 0 0-0 0, Sarah Lawrence 1 1-4 3. TOTALS: 9 3-10 21. Three-point goals: None. Field Goals: 9-34 (.265). Rebounds: 19. Turnovers: 32.

EASTERN (6-1, 6-1 TVC Hocking): Brenna Holter 2 0-0 4, Savannah Hawley 2 0-0 5, Jordan Parker 0 0-0 0, Gabby Hendrix 1 0-0 2, Jenna Burdette 7 2-2 19, Katie Keller 4 4-6 12, Hayley Gillian 2 0-0 5, Cheyenne Doczi 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Myers 0 0-2 0, Tori Goble 0 0-0 0, Maddie Rigsby 2 1-4 5, Erin Swatzel 4 1-1 9. TOTALS: 24 8-15 61. Three-point goals: 5 (Burdette 3, Hawley, Gillian). Field Goals: 24-66 (.364). Rebounds: 44. Turnovers: 14.