Photo by Kim North Monroe Central’s Tucker Howell shoots over top of Wheeling Central’s Eli Sancomb during first-quarter action Friday night inside WesBanco Arena.

WHEELING — The middle game of Friday’s Sam Andy Classic at WesBanco Arena pitted a pair of heavyweights as previously unbeaten Monroe Central squared off against debuting and highly touted Wheeling Central.

The game lived up to its advanced billing as the Maroon Knights used a huge performance from the team’s junior standout, Eli Sancomb, to pull out a hard-earned 53-44 triumph.

The 6-5 southpaw poured in 37 points, grabbed 10 boards and was clutch at the charity stripe at crunch time.

Sancomb ended the night 13-of-14 from the foul line.

Monroe Central led the entire first half before Wheeling Central’s pressure began to take its toll.

The Seminoles turned the ball over six times in the third quarter enabling Mel Stephens’ charges to finally grab the lead.

Wheeling Central took a 36-33 edge into the final frame.

A Sancomb three-point play gave the Knights a 41-35 advantage at the 5:46 lighting of the fourth period. Monroe drew to within 41-39 on a Chance Allen hoop with 4:23 remaining.

A Tyler Dean driving layup pushed Central’s lead back to four. After a Monroe turnover, Sancomb netted a free throw before Allen goaled again for a 44-41 lighting.

The Seminoles misfired from the floor with Central’s 6-7 junior Max Olejasz delivering a bucket with 1:50 left, giving Wheeling Central a 48-41 upper hand.

Monroe didn’t go quietly as senior ace Tucker Howell quickly drained a three. Central subsequently went into game-delay mode, effectively killing the clock until Sancomb was fouled with 50.7 seconds left. He drained both attempts for a 50-44 Maroon lead.

Monroe again misfired from the floor. Central senior Troy Anthony drained a free throw before Sancomb delivered the dagger as he recorded a steal and a layup.

“These guys played a ton of games in the summer but until you get that first real game under your belt you will have some nerves. I think that showed tonight,” Stephens said. “We weren’t real sharp at the start, not boxing out and not rotating real well. But as the game went along we began to find our rhythm.

“We had a nice run to end the first half and I think that carried over into the second half. Our defensive pressure picked up and we were able to force some turnovers,” he added. “Monroe is a very good team. We were concerned with their transition game and I thought we did a good job of handling that.”

Olejasz was Sancomb’s top support with six points while also collecting nine rebounds and recording three steals. Nico Kusic checked in with five points.

Tucker Howell paced Monroe Central with 13 points while Allen and Cooper Howell evenly divided 18 counters. Tyler Whitacre chipped in with eight tallies.

Monroe played a solid first quarter, earning a 17-10 lead at the break. Whitacre produced six points in the frame. Sancomb had all of Wheeling Central’s 10 points.

The Maroon Knights began to ramp up their defensive tenacity in the second quarter, paring the deficit to 26-23 at intermission. Sancomb (six) and Olejasz (four) combined for 10 points in the frame while Cooper Howell had seven for Monroe.

Sancomb pumped in nine more points in the third frame as the Knights forced a half-dozen Seminole turnovers to help turn the tide.

“We have to do a better job of limiting our turnovers. We also have to do a better job of playing defense without fouling,” Monroe Central head Mason Lang said. “Their pressure hurt us in the third quarter. We have to handle it better.

“We got out of sync somewhat in the first half with some foul problems. But we have to learn how to match their physicality,” he added. “But this was a good game for us to play. Central is an excellent team and will help us in the postseason.”

Monroe, coming off a 92-point outburst against Shadyside, dropped to 3-1. The reigning OVAC 2A champions will welcome Shenandoah Tuesday.

Wheeling Central has little time to relish its win. The Maroon Knights have another tough test tonight, hosting Martins Ferry.

“Eli had a very good game. He carried us offensively which will likely be the case most nights,” Stephens said. “But the other players all did their jobs. We got solid contributions from everyone.

“Monroe was a tough opener. It is a really nice win,” he added. “But we got another tough one tomorrow (tonight) against Martins Ferry. Hopefully, our guys can get their legs back.”

Tucker Howell, coming off an All-Ohio football season, had 10 rebounds for Monroe.

The Maroon Knights played shorthanded. Stellar point guard Luke Sancomb is sidelined as he is still rehabbing a football injury.

Wheeling Central committed just six turnovers while the Seminoles hurt themselves with 15 miscues.