GRAHAMSVILLE – Beware the Bears. After a dominant Fall season, Tri-Valley is looking to continue that trend into the winter, and it showed in a non-league victory over Roscoe on Wednesday afternoon.

The Bears set the tone early and matched any runs by the Blue Devils en route to a 51-23 win.

Tri-Valley got to work early, using a mix of off-ball screens and hard cuts to the basket. They opened the scoring with fastbreak layups and good looks at the rim early, scoring the first 12 points of the game.

By the end of the first quarter, Tri-Valley was in the driver’s seat with an 18-6 lead.

As much as Tri-Valley’s offense lit up the scoreboard, their defense deserves credit as well. They forced turnovers throughout the game and contested every shot and pass, making it difficult for Roscoe to effectively move the ball or create offense.

By halftime, Tri-Valley extended their lead and the teams went into the break at 26-12.

The Blue Devils, who were down two starters, came out in the second half flat, and Tri-Valley continued to work hard, outscoring Roscoe 15-6 and extending the lead to 41-18.

In the final frame, the Bears outscored the Blue Devils 10-5 and closed out their 51-23 victory.

“We’ve been trying to work from the inside out. If we can establish our scoring early then we won’t be so hot and cold relying on 3-pointers. We had some good practices over break to get ready after not having games for so long.”

Tri-Valley will be back in action tonight as they head to Lake Huntington to take on the Sullivan West Bulldogs in a league clash.

The Blue Devils are hosting Seward tonight.