TUPPERS PLAINS, Ohio — Good things come in threes, even if you don’t need them.

The Eastern boys basketball team went without a three-point field goal for the second consecutive game, but the Eagles still didn’t have any trouble putting points on the board Friday night during a 49-36 victory over visiting Trimble in the Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division opener for both programs in Meigs County.

The host Eagles (3-0, 1-0 TVC Hocking) shot a respectable 45 percent from the field, despite an 0-for-7 effort from behind the arc. Eastern, which has only one successful three-point make this season, has missed all 10 of its attempts in its last two outings, yet is still unbeaten after outscoring opponents by a combined 25 points this winter.

The key for EHS has been on the defensive end, which was evident Friday night against the Tomcats — who fell to 0-2 overall and 0-1 in TVC Hocking play.

Both teams were tied at 10 after eight minutes of play, but the Eagles stepped things up in the second canto — going on a 12-7 run to take a 22-17 edge into the intermission. The hosts also followed with a small 10-9 spurt in the third quarter for a 32-26 edge headed into the finale.

Eastern, which made 13-of-17 free throws in the triumph for 76 percent, outscored the guests down the stretch by a 17-10 margin, allowing EHS to wrap up the 13-point decision — its largest of the young season.

Max Carnahan led the Eagles and all scorers with 17 points, followed by Jacob Parker with 12 points and Zakk Heaton with eight markers. Carnahan also had game-highs of nine rebounds and eight assists for a near triple-double.

Kirk Pullins contributed six points and Chase Cook added four markers, while Christian Amsbary rounded things out with two points. EHS ended up going 18-of-40 from the field in the triumph and also had 13 turnovers.

Cyrus Jones and Cody Bragg paced THS with 11 points apiece, followed by Chris Spears with six markers. Trimble went just 2-of-9 at the charity stripe for 22 percent.

Eastern — the two-time defending TVC Hocking champion — goes against its former mentor Tuesday night when the Eagles travel to Stewart for a pivotal league matchup against Howie Caldwell and Federal Hocking at 6 p.m.

Eastern 49, Trimble 36

T10-7-9-10 — 36

E10-12-10-17 — 49

TRIMBLE (0-2, 0-1 TVC Hocking):Konner Standley 2 0-2 5, Cyrus Jones 5 1-3 11, Justin Jewell 1 0-0 3, Chris Spears 2 0-0 6, Cody Bragg 5 1-4 11. TOTALS: 15 2-9 36. Three-point goals: 4 (Spears 2, Jewell, Standley).

EASTERN (3-0, 1-0 TVC Hocking): Zakk Heaton 3 2-3 8, Max Carnahan 5 7-8 17, Christian Amsbary 1 0-0 2, Jacob Parker 5 2-4 12, Chase Cook 1 2-2 4, Kirk Pullins 3 0-0 6. TOTALS: 18 13-17 49. Three-point goals: None. Rebounds: 33. Field Goals: 18-40 (.450).