DRIVING THE PAINT — Big Red’s Brenton Jones drives the paint past John Marshall’s Tyler Stouffer and Grant Neiswonger during Tuesday’s game inside the Crimson Center. -- Michael D. McElwain

STEUBENVILLE — The Big Red boys basketball team made its first contest inside the Crimson Center this season a successful one.

Coach Mike Haney’s group, led by 11 points each from Ty Pierce and Brenton Jones, topped John Marshall Tuesday night inside the home gym, 51-38.

Jones also pulled down a team-high six rebounds, while Ivan Buggs netted 10 points and pulled down five boards.

Frankie Vostatek netted seven points, while Kyjhuan Hopkins and Phaeton Hill even divided 10 points. Hill dished two assists.

Grant Neiswonger led the Monarchs with 10 points, while Roman Gray added eight.

Up next for Steubenville is the first round of the City Championship as Catholic Central comes to the Crimson Center on Friday.

Big Red 51, John Marshall 38

John Marshall 4-9-9-16 – 38

Big Red 14-16-8-13 – 51

JOHN MARSHALL: Hartman 1 0-1 2; Scrutka 2 2-4 6; Wright 2 0-0 4; Neiswonger 2 6-10 10; Gray 2 4-8 8; Sobotka 2 0-0 5; Stouffer 2 0-0 5. TOTALS: 13 12-23 38.

BIG RED: Hll 2 0-0 5; Buggs 5 0-0 10; Sewell 1 0-0 2; Hopkins 2 1-2 5; Lewis 0 0-0 0; Pierce 4 0-0 11; Jones 4 3-4 11; Mullins 0 0-0 0; Vostatek 3 1-2 7. TOTALS: 21 5-8 51.

3-POINT GOALS: John Marshall 2 (Sobotka, Stouffer); Big Red 4 (Pierce 3, Hill).