Southeastern used a 7-2 run to close the first half and never trailed again in a 55-47 win at home against previous SVC co-leader Zane Trace.

The Panthers led 29-24 at half, opened up an 8-point lead in the third quarter before holding a 43-36 lead to end the period, and had as much as a double-digit lead before settling for the 55-47 victory.

Both teams had three players in double figures. Southeastern was led by senior Nick Kellough's 13 points, followed by Jake Skeens with 12 and Austin Hice with 10. Kannan Strausbaugh added 9 points and Jordan Allen had a big 9 rebounds.


Jake Skeens file photo by Dana Cousins

Zane Trace was led by double-double performances from Connor Smith at 14 points/14 rebounds and Wes Beam's 14 points/10 rebounds. Tyler Hinty added 10 points.

Southeastern shot 20/48 from the field- including 4/8 from the arc for 42%, while checking Zane Trace to 20/53 for 37%. The Pioneers were an ice-cold 1/16 from three-point range.

The Panthers were 11/17 from the charity stripe and ZT 6/9. The Panthers only committed 7 turnovers and the Pioneers had 12. The Pioneers held a 34-28 rebounding advantage.

Piketon's 75-48 win over Huntington leaves them alone at the top of the SVC with a (6-1) mark, as round one concludes. Zane Trace and Unioto are one game back at (5-2) and Southeastern is (4-3). Unioto was a 58-48 winner over Westfall, who drops to (3-4) along with Huntington. Paint Valley and Adena share last place at (1-6) after the Bearcats edge the Warriors 46-45.