CENTENARY, Ohio — A 13-4 third quarter surge ultimately proved to be the difference-maker for visiting Fairland Tuesday night during a 54-42 victory over the Gallia Academy boys basketball team in a non-conference matchup in Gallia County.

The host Blue Devils (1-1) fell behind 14-8 after eight minutes of play, then the Dragons (1-1) made a small 14-13 run in the second canto to establish a 28-21 advantage at the intermission.

FHS opened the second half with its biggest charge of the night, allowing the guests to establish a sizable 41-25 cushion headed into the finale. GAHS made a valiant 17-13 spurt down the stretch and managed to get its deficit down to three possessions late, but the comeback effort ultimately ran out of time in the 12-point outcome.

Gallia Academy connected on 14-of-41 field goal attempts for 34 percent, which included a 3-of-11 effort from three-point range for 27 percent. GAHS was also 11-of-20 at the free throw line for 55 percent.

The hosts claimed a 27-26 rebounding edge overall and committed 13 turnovers in the setback, compared to just 11 giveaways by FHS.

Cody Call led the Blue Devils with eight points, followed by Justin Bailey with seven points and a game-high eight rebounds. Reid Eastman and Alex White both added six points apiece for the hosts, while Aaron Jackson and Wade Jarrell contributed six and four markers respectively. Nick Clagg, Jeremy Wilson and Jimmy Clagg rounded out the losing tally with two points each.

Fairland was 21-of-48 from the field for 44 percent, including an 0-for-6 effort from three-point territory. The guests were also 12-of-18 at the charity stripe for 67 percent.

Evan Maddox paced the Dragons with a game-high 13 points, followed by Luke Phillips with 11 points and Chance Short with 10 markers.

It was the first game on Gallia Academy’s new gymnasium floor since a water leak ruined the old one back on September 16. The damaged floor originally opened with the new high school back in the fall of 2009.