RIPLEY, W.Va. — What goes around, comes around.

After starting the year with four straight losses and an overall record of 1-8 through nine contests, the Point Pleasant boys basketball team completed a 180-degree turn by reaching the .500 mark Tuesday night following a 64-51 victory over host Ripley in a non-conference matchup in Jackson County.

The visiting Big Blacks — who have now won four consecutive decisions — improved their season record to 9-9 overall while salvaging a split in their head-to-had matchup with the Vikings (6-14). Ripley claimed a 44-34 decision at PPHS back on December 11.

PPHS — which has now won eight of its last nine contests — had seven players reach the scoring column, which included four with double figures. The Big Blacks also outscored RHS in each of the first three periods of play.

The guests stormed out to an 18-8 edge after eight minutes and ultimately never looked back, as Point Pleasant followed with a 13-9 run to establish a commanding 31-17 advantage at the intermission.

Point kept that momentum going into the third canto, as a small 19-18 spurt allowed the guests to secure a 50-35 edge headed into the finale. Ripley closed regulation with a 16-14 run, but never came closer than four possessions the rest of the way.

Wade Martin led Point Pleasant with 17 points, followed by Alex Somerville with 14 points and Aden Yates with 12 markers. Dillon McCarty contributed 10 points to the winning cause, while Andrew Williamson added seven markers.

Marquez Griffin and Nate Chapman each had two points to round out the winning tally. PPHS had a season-high 19 assists in the contest, with Yates leading that charge with seven dimes and also 10 rebounds. Point Pleasant hit five trifectas and went 5-of-7 at the free throw line for 71 percent.

Jakob Harrison paced Ripley with 23 points, followed Drew Harpold with nine points and Chuck Sleboda with six markers. RHS made five trifectas and went 10-of-15 at the charity stripe for 67 percent.