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GALLIPOLIS, Ohio — The Defenders lived up to their name … literally.

The Ohio Valley Christian boys basketball team forced 20 turnovers and held visiting Hannan to just six field goals total during a convincing 49-21 victory Tuesday night in a non-conference matchup at the First Baptist Church Activities Building in the Old French City.

The host Defenders (13-6) held the Wildcats (5-15) to seven or fewer points in each of the four quarters, which included a first half that saw the guests muster only two field goals and a dozen turnovers before the break.

OVCS opened regulation with 9-0 run before HHS finally got on the scoreboard with 3:31 left, as Jacob Taylor converted an old-fashioned three-point play to pull the Wildcats to within two possessions at 9-3.

Hannan — which committed seven turnovers in the opening period — never came closer the rest of the way, as the hosts closed the final three minutes on a 10-0 run to secure a 19-3 cushion after one quarter of play.

Ohio Valley Christian went on a small 3-0 run to start the second period, then Hannan ended a 8:51 scoreless drought at the 2:40 mark after a free throw cut the deficit down to 22-4. OVCS, which twice led by 19 in the first half, closed the opening 16 minutes with a small 5-4 spurt to take a 27-8 lead into halftime.

OVCS reeled off five straight points to start the second half for a 32-8 edge, but the guests countered with a 7-6 run over the final 4:05 to pull within 38-15 headed into the finale. The Defenders, who led by as many as 30 points (47-17) with 2:30 remaining, closed the fourth quarter with an 11-6 run to wrap up the 28-point decision.

The Defenders, who had 14 turnovers, also claimed a season sweep of Hannan after posting a 50-49 decision in Ashton back on Jan. 27. The Wildcats, on Tuesday night, had more turnovers than points for 31:14 of the 32-minute affair.

Chance Burleson led the hosts with a game-high 15 points, followed by Paul Miller with 13 points and Pete Carman with 12 markers. T.G. Miller added seven points to the winning cause, while Ben Tillis rounded out the scoring with two markers. OVCS was 17-of-34 at the free throw line for 50 percent.

Jacob Taylor paced HHS with six points, followed by Charles Mayes with five markers. Kade McCoy and Tyler Jenkins both had three points apiece, while Paul Holley and Jacob Brumfield rounded out the scoring with two markers each. Hannan was 9-of-12 at the charity stripe for 75 percent.

Tuesday also served as Senior Night at OVCS, as seniors Pete Carman, Paul Miller and Ben Tillis were all honored before the start of the contest.

The Defenders return to action Thursday when they travel to Parkersburg Christian for a non-conference matchup at 7:30 p.m.

Hannan returns to the hardwood Friday when it travels to Huntington Saint Joseph for a non-conference matchup at 6 p.m.

OVCS 49, Hannan 21

HAN 3-5-7-6 — 21

OVC 19-8-11-11 — 49

HANNAN (5-15): Brad Fannin 0 0-0 0, Kade McCoy 1 1-2 3, Tyler Jenkins 1 1-2 3, Paul Holley 1 0-0 2, Ty Page 0 0-0 0, James Brumfield 1 0-0 2, Charles Mayes 0 5-6 5, Jacob Taylor 2 2-2 6, Matt Randolph 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 6 9-12 21. Three-point goals: None. Turnovers: 20.

OHIO VALLEY CHRISTIAN (13-6): Pete Carman 6 0-0 12, Paul Miller 4 2-4 13, Chance Burleson 3 8-12 15, T.G. Miller 1 5-8 7, Ben Tillis 0 2-6 2, Phil Hollingshead 0 0-0 0, Scotty Wood 0 0-2 0, Marshall Hood 0 0-2 0. TOTALS: 14 17-34 49. Three-point goals: 4 (P. Miller 3, Burleson). Turnovers: 14.