STEUBENVILLE — Friday the 13th turned out to be a nightmare for the Magnolia boys’ basketball team.

Catholic Central tallied the first nine points of the game and led by 26 at halftime en route to a 59-34 victory in an OVAC Tournament consolation game Friday night inside the Mickey Barber Gymnasium.

“We played one of our better games where we followed the gameplan,” Catholic Central (9-11) head coach Don Ogden said. “It was a game that us as a coaching staff was looking for. Individually, we have some good basketball players, but we have not been in sync. Tonight, we saw that.

“Defense has been a real focus for us. We want to play consistent defense with all five guys with no mental breaks, and they did a good job. Our offense flowed. We showed patience.

“In the second half, we preached about maintaining the gameplan. We didn’t want to let them come back. The kids did a good job.

“I am proud of the guys. We have been taking some butt whippings. We are on a two-game winning streak. The guys needed this for everything, for their attitudes and for their self esteem.”

The Crusaders led 17-4 at the end of the first. The boys from Jefferson County then extended their advantage out to 33-8 in the second before a buzzer-beating 3-point gave them a 42-16 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.

“We wanted to push the ball whether we scored or not,” Ogden said about his team’s offensive gameplan in the first half. “In the second half, it was more about taking time off the clock. We did not stall, but we narrowed the shot selection our guys were allowed to take. The more time we used up on offense was less time they had to come back. Our guys did a really good job of not letting up.”

The victors increased their advantage to 30 early in the quarter before leading 52-24 entering the fourth. The boys from Wetzel County outscored the hosts, 10-7, in the fourth to account for the final score.

The boys in white led by as many as 32 points in the fourth before the boys in gold tallied the final seven points of the game.

Raheem Mitchell tallied a game-high 25 points to lead the way offensively for Catholic Central, Michael Fabbro finished with 15 and Kolbe Krupp collected eight.

For Magnolia (7-11), Kingsten Christen contributed a team-high 13 points. No other player scored more than three points.

“Coach (Dave) Tallman is a great coach,” Ogden said. “We had some idea of what they were going to bring to the table, but you never know the gameplan until you actually play the game. We were fortunate that they did the same stuff we prepared for.

“Our guys executed. I give them all the credit to this team. Hopefully, they see how they played tonight and how they played together and how they were on the same page.”

The Blue Eagles did not attempt a foul shot in the game.

The game was the last one for the Crusaders before the postseason draw. The draw will be held Sunday afternoon.

“After winning our last two games, I think we are progressing really well,” Ogden said. “We played with consistent effort and execution, and hopefully that continues the rest of the year. We have a great group of kids. I am happy they are having success.”

Catholic Central is scheduled to play Harrison Central Tuesday night on the road. The Huskies defeated the Crusaders, 45-38, Dec. 30 on the road.

“Harrison Central is a good team,” Ogden said. “They are well coached. The OVACs are over, and this was our last night before the district draw. Both teams are competitive. Both teams are going to compete. That is what you do.”

Magnolia is slated to play Notre Dame Friday night at home.

Catholic Central 59, Magnolia 34

Magnolia 4 12 8 10 – 34

Catholic Central 17 25 10 7 – 59

MAGNOLIA (7-11): Byers 1 0-0 2, Anderson 1 0-0 2, K. Christen 5 0-0 13, D. Christian 1 0-0 3, Werkau 1 0-0 2, Higgins 1 0-0 2, Hood 1 0-0 2, Sickles 1 0-0 3, Coulter 1 0-0 2, Loy 1 0-0 3, Wade 0 0-0 0, Fortney 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 14 0-0 34.

CATHOLIC CENTRAL (9-11): Fabbro 6 0-0 15, Bryan 1 0-0 2, Mitchell 9 7-9 25, Rook 0 0-0 0, J. Hough 0 0-0 0, Krivoniak 2 0-0 5, Krupp 3 1-3 8, King 0 0-0 0, Fink 0 0-0 0, Hoover 0 0-0 0, A. Hough 2 0-0 4. TOTALS: 23 8-12 59.

3-POINTERS: Magnolia 6 (K. Christen 3, D. Christian, Sickles, Loy); Catholic Central 5 (Fabbro 3, Krivoniak, Krupp)