GALLIPOLIS, Ohio — The Ohio Valley Christian boys basketball team picked up a pair of victories Thursday and Friday night, as the Defenders won a 43-41 decision at Wood County Christian and then came home for a 65-19 triumph over Pike Christian Academy.

The Defenders (8-6) survived a late scare from WCC Thursday night, as OVCS stormed out to early leads of 14-8 and 24-14 after each of the first two periods of play. The hosts, however, countered with a 15-6 third quarter charge to pull within a point at 30-29 headed into the finale.

Ohio Valley Christian managed to hold, thanks to a 13-12 spurt down the stretch, and ultimately secured the two-point decision.

Chance Burleson led OVCS with 18 points and team-highs of 14 rebounds, six assists and four steals, while T.G. Miller added 14 points.

Caleb McKitrick was next with four points, followed by Richard Bowman with three markers. Phil Hollingshead and Marshall Hood each added two points to round out the winning tally.

Jamie Arnold paced Wood County Christian with a game-high 20 points.

Things were as close on Friday night, as the Defenders jumped out to an early 16-5 advantage and never looked back. OVCS followed with a 16-8 second quarter run for a 32-13 cushion at the break, then went on a 16-6 surge in the third canto for a sizable 48-19 lead headed into the finale.

Pike Christian Academy went scoreless down the stretch, as Ohio Valley Christian scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth to wrap up the 46-point outcome.

Caleb McKitrick led the Defenders with a double-double effort of 12 points and 11 rebounds, followed by Richard Bowman with 11 points and Chance Burleson with 10 markers and five assists. T.G. Miller added nine points and six steals as well to the winning cause.

Lukas Wells had seven points, Evan Bowman added six markers, and both Marshall Hood and Eric Blevins chipped in two points apiece. Will Rankin rounded out the winning tally with one point.

Braden Bakenhaster paced the visiting Lions with 11 points.