WELLSTON, Ohio — Wellston shot 58 percent from the field and outrebounded visiting Meigs by a 35-17 overall margin Friday night during a 72-57 boys basketball victory in the Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division opener for both programs in Jackson County.

The host Golden Rockets (2-1, 1-0 TVC Ohio) trailed only twice in the contest at 2-0 and 6-4, then rallied with a 13-4 surge over the final four-plus minutes of the first quarter to take a 17-10 advantage. The Marauders (0-2, 0-1) were never closer than seven points the rest of the night, despite shooting a respectable 41 percent from the field.

WHS used a 7-0 run to start the second canto for its biggest lead of the first half at 24-10, but Meigs responded with an 11-4 surge to pull back to within 28-21 late in the first half. Wellston closed the second period with three straight points to take a 31-21 cushion into the intermission.

The Rockets extended their lead to 47-32 headed into the finale after a 16-11 third quarter run, then both team netted 25 points apiece down the stretch to wrap up the 15-point outcome.

Meigs connected on 24-of-58 shot attempts, including a 3-of-8 effort from three-point territory for 38 percent. The guests were 6-of-13 at the free throw line for 46 percent and committed just 11 turnovers in the setback. MHS also gained a 15-5 edge in steals.

Wellston, conversely, hit 28-of-48 field goal tries, including a 2-of-8 effort from behind the arc for 25 percent. The Rockets were 14-of-19 at the charity stripe for 58 percent and had 23 turnovers in the triumph.

Treay McKinney led the Maroon and Gold with 13 points, followed by Dillone Boyer with 10 points and Kaileb Sheets with nine markers. Ty Phelps chipped in eight points in the setback, while Jared Williamson and Dustin Ulbrich each contributed six points.

Jordan Hutton rounded out the scoring with five markers. Phelps added a team-best seven steals and five rebounds, while Sheets dished out a Meigs-best seven assists.

Andrew Richards and Toriano Smith both paced the hosts with 23 points apiece, with Smith adding a game-high 10 rebounds to the winning effort. Dakota Brown also had 12 markers for WHS.