STEWART, Ohio — The Southern boys basketball team had only two players score in the first half, and host Federal Hocking made the most of a seven-point halftime advantage Tuesday night during a 54-46 victory in a Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division matchup in Athens County.

The Tornadoes (8-9, 6-7 TVC Hocking) struggled to find a collective rhythm early on, as Tristen Wolfe netted all seven of the guests first quarter points — which led to a 10-7 deficit after eight minutes of play.

The league-leading Lancers (13-4, 11-2) added to their lead in the second canto with a 17-13 run, which gave the hosts a 27-20 cushion at the intermission. Southern’s Taylor McNickle hit four trifectas in the second period, and Wolfe added a free throw for his eighth point before the break.

Both teams mustered 12 points apiece in the third canto for a 39-32 contest headed into the finale, then FHHS went on a small 15-14 down the stretch to wrap up the eight-point decision. Fed Hock claimed a season sweep of SHS after posting a 55-46 win in Racine back on December 18.

The Tornadoes connected on 17-of-42 field goal attempts for 41 percent, including a 4-of-18 effort from three-point territory for 22 percent. The guests were outrebounded by a 34-21 overall margin and committed 15 turnovers, three less than the Lancers’ tally of 18.

Tristen Wolfe led Southern with a game-high 21 points, followed by Taylor McNickle with 12 points and Dennis Teaford with six markers. Zac Beegle and Hunter Johnson rounded out the respective scoring with three and two points. SHS was 8-of-12 at the free throw line for 67 percent.

The Lancers sank 16-of-42 shot attempts for 38 percent, including a 5-of-18 effort from beyond the arc for 28 percent. The hosts also nailed 17-of-22 charity tosses for 77 percent.

Pete Crum paced Fed Hock with 11 points, followed by Shawn Parsons with 10 points and Terrance Mayle with nine markers. Alfy Nichols and Corey Rex also chipped in eight and six points, respectively.