BYESVILLE — A chance to defend their OVAC crown.

That’s what the Meadowbrook Colts earned Tuesday night with an impressive 74-45 home victory against Steubenville Big Red, with Coach Lou "Scooter" Tolzda’s squad securing a spot in the OVAC Wheeling Hospital Boys Basketball Tournament next week.

The Colts (13-5) will be at home for next week’s Class 4A semifinals, with Oak Glen coming to Byesville on Tuesday. Meadowbrook has won the 4A title the last two years.

The game was close for one quarter, with Meadowbrook clinging to a 17-15 edge after the first eight minutes behind seven points from senior Trey Singleton and six from junior Davis Black. Steubenville’s Jamee Roundtree also started strong with an eight-point opening period.

With Singleton at the catalyst, the Colts took control in the second quarter by outscoring Big Red, 18-8, to move on top by a 35-23 score at the intermission.

Singleton tallied 10 points in the round while Davis Black controlled the boards with six caroms.

The Colts kept the heat on in the third chapter, with Singleton again leading the charge with nine more tallies as MHS gained a 20-11 edge to push its lead to 55-34 heading to the final frame.

Fourth-quarter "treys" by Davis Black, Peyton Neff and Dalton Wood helped extend the Colts’ lead to as many as 31 down the stretch.

"I was happy with our overall performance tonight," said Coach Tolzda. "It really carried over from our big win at New Philly on Friday.

"I like the way we’re playing, and this is the time you want to get going," he continued. "Our kids played with a purpose tonight."

A big factor in the game was Meadowbrook’s rebounding, with the Colts owning a 40-22 edge on the glass led by Davis Black with 11 and Addy Black with seven.

"The guys were getting up...our legs looked fresh," said Tolzda. "We moved the ball well and were patient on offense."

Singleton poured in 28 points for game scoring honors while Davis Black posted another "double-double" with 15 points and 11 boards. Neff closed with seven markers and four rebounds.

MHS connected on 30-of-57 field goal attempts; 7-of-15 three-pointers and 7-of-12 free throws.

Steubenville (9-8) got 14 points from Roundtree and 13 from Davon Davis. Jorian Jones led the Big Red rebounders with four.

The visitors were just 19-of-51 from the floor; 1-of-9 on "treys" and 6-of-9 at the charity stripe.

Both teams were charted with 11 turnovers.

NEXT- Meadowbrook entertains River View on Friday, with JV tip-off at 6 p.m.