ROCKSPRINGS, Ohio — The Meigs boys basketball team notched its first win of the season Saturday night during a hard-fought 71-68 victory over visiting Alexander in a Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division matchup at Larry R. Morrison Gymnasium.

The host Marauders (1-14, 1-6 TVC Ohio) shot 52 percent from the field, but needed an 18-13 run down the stretch to pick up their first league triumph of the winter. MHS also salvaged a season split with the Spartans (4-10, 2-5), who won the first matchup at The Alley by a 72-55 margin back on Dec. 13.

Tied at 66-all with a minute left in regulation, Dillon Boyer nailed a trifecta with 46 seconds left — giving Meigs a 69-66 edge. AHS answered with a basket to pull within one with 30 seconds remaining, but Michael Davis sank two free throws with 16.4 ticks left for a 71-68 edge.

The guests managed to get a final shot off, but Davis hauled in the rebound of the miss with two seconds left — allowing Meigs to pick up the one-possession decision.

Alexander led 13-10 after eight minutes of play and used a 23-22 run in the second canto to take a 36-32 lead into the intermission. The Marauders retaliated with a small 21-19 spurt in the third period to pull within 55-53 headed into the finale.

Meigs opened the fourth stanza with a 13-11 run to pull even at 66-all, then closed the final minute with a 5-3 run. Meigs also had 27 rebounds and 17 turnovers in the victory.

The hosts connected on 25-of-48 field goal attempts overall, including a 7-of-16 effort from three-point range for 44 percent. MHS was also 14-of-22 at the charity stripe for 64 percent.

Boyer led the Marauders with a game-high 28 points, followed by Jesse Smith with 19 points and Davis with 15 markers. Rocco Casci added five points to the winning cause, while Jordan Hutton and Cody Mattox rounded out the scoring with two markers each.

Jake Gray paced Alexander with 25 points, followed by Braden Jones with 24 points and Tanner Carsey with six markers. The Spartans were 9-of-13 at the free throw line for 69 percent.

Meigs returns to action Friday when it travels to Vinton County for a TVC Ohio matchup at 6 p.m.

Meigs 71, Alexander 68

A 13-23-19-13 — 68

M 10-22-21-18 — 71

ALEXANDER (4-10, 2-5 TVC Ohio): Chris Wingett 2 0-0 4, Jake Gray 10 0-0 25, Zach Weffler 2 0-0 4, Jared Jeffers 0 0-0 0, Will Cravens 0 0-1 0, Dustin Mullins 0 0-0 0, Tanner Carsey 2 1-2 6, Jordan Mosley 2 0-0 5, Braden Jones 8 8-10 24, Tim Smith 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 26 9-13 68. Three-point goals: 7 (Gray 5, Carsey, Mosley).

MEIGS (1-14, 1-6 TVC Ohio): Dillon Boyer 11 1-4 28, Jordan Hutton 0 2-2 2, Michael Davis 5 3-6 15, Rocco Casci 1 3-4 5, Cody Mattox 1 0-0 2, Cody Stewart 0 0-0 0, Jesse Smith 7 5-6 19, Dennis Teaford 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 25 14-22 71. Three-point goals: 7 (Boyer 5, Davis 2). Field Goals: 25-48 (.521). Rebounds: 27 (Smith 8). Turnovers: 17.