GALLIPOLIS, Ohio — Taking care of the ball is a key in winning games.

The Ohio Valley Christian boys basketball team committed just four turnovers in Tuesday night’s 55-42 victory over visiting Harvest Christian Academy in Gallia County.

The Defenders (10-8) took the early lead after out scoring the Warriors 15-to-9 in the opening period. OVCS expanded its lead to double-digits with a 14-to-7 second quarter run. Ohio Valley Christian led 29-14 at halftime.

Harvest rallied back with a 16-to-11 third quarter spurt but the Defenders closed the door with a 15-to-10 run to close the game and seal the 55-42 triumph.

T.G. Miller led the Defenders with 20 points, followed by Chance Burleson with 16 and Evan Bowman with 11. Marshall Hood chipped in with six points, while Phil Hollingshead added two for the victors.Evan Bowman accounted for all three OVCS triples.

The Defenders shot 12-of-21 (57.1 percent) from the line and 20-of-56 (35.7 percent) from the field, including 3-of-12 (25 percent) from beyond the arc. OVCS forced 19 turnovers on the night.

The Warriors were led by Josiah Hudson with 16 points and Titus LeMaster with 15 points. Cody Branham marked six points, Jacob Bruch finished with four and Matthew Hudson rounded out the HCA scoring with one point.

Harvest shot 7-of-16 (43.8 percent) from the line and 16-of-45 (35.6 percent) from the field, including 3-of-15 (20 percent) from three. LeMaster accounted for all three Harvest triples.