CENTENARY, Ohio — The Gallia Academy boys basketball team hung tough with visiting Chillicothe for three quarters, but a 15-5 second quarter CHS run ultimately proved to be the difference-maker Friday night during a 51-37 Southeastern Ohio Athletic League decision in Gallia County.

The host Blue Devils (3-9, 1-4 SEOAL) dropped their fifth straight overall decision, while the Cavaliers (9-3, 4-1) maintained an early share of the league lead with both Portsmouth and Warren — all teams with one loss within SEOAL play.

The Cavs managed a small 13-10 edge after eight minutes of play, then erupted for a 10-point swing in the second canto for a comfortable 28-15 cushion at the intermission.

The Blue Devils retaliated with a 12-9 third quarter spurt to pull within 37-27 headed into the finale, but the guests closed regulation with a 14-10 run to wrap up the 14-point decision.

Justin Bailey led GAHS with 11 points, followed by Reid Eastman with 10 points and Jimmy Clagg with seven markers. Cody Call and Nick Saunders rounded out the respective scoring with six and three points. The hosts were 7-of-11 at the free throw line for 64 percent.

Malik London paced the Cavs with a game-high 19 points, followed by Zach Johnson with 14 points and Aaron Elliot with 10 markers. CHS was just 7-of-19 at the charity stripe for 37 percent. Chillicothe was also without starter Jalen Jones, who is in Florida for the Blue-Gray Football Classic.

Gallia Academy returns to action Friday when it hosts Warren in a SEOAL matchup at 5 p.m.

Chillicothe 51, Gallia Academy 37

C 13-15-9-14 — 51

GA 10-5-12-10 — 37

CHILLICOTHE (9-3, 4-1 SEOAL): Adam Bixler 1 0-2 2, Charlie Demint 1 0-0 2, Malik London 7 5-11 19, Pierce Knisley 1 0-0 2, Isaiah Johnson 0 0-0 0, Aaron Elliot 5 0-0 10, Zach Johnson 6 2-5 14, Tim Beard 0 0-0 0, Marcus Dunn 1 0-1 2. TOTALS: 22 7-19 51. Three-point goals: None.

GALLIA ACADEMY (3-9, 1-4 SEOAL): Reid Eastman 4 2-3 10, Logan Allison 0 0-0 0, Joel Johnston 0 0-0 0, Justin Bailey 4 3-6 11, Nick Saunders 1 0-0 3, Wade Jarrell 0 0-0 0, Aaron Jackson 0 0-0 0, Jeremy Wilson 0 0-0 0, Cody Call 3 0-0 6, Seth Atkins 0 0-0 0, Jimmy Clagg 2 2-2 7. TOTALS: 14 7-11 37. Three-point goals: 2 (Saunders, Clagg).