Photo Provided Bridgeport’s Jaleel Vincent goes in for a layup against the Shadyside Tigers during their game Friday.

BRIDGEPORT — It was the performance Ed Andes has been waiting for all season. The veteran and successful Shadyside hoop boss watched his Tigers turn in a masterful effort, downing Bridgeport, 65-50, Friday night on Frank Baxter Court inside the John J. Havlicek Gymnasium.

The Tigers started like gangbusters in building a big early lead and subsequently played with poise and confidence down the stretch in earning just their second win of the season.

The loss was a painful one for Bridgeport.

The Bulldogs harbored possible hopes of an OVAC Tournament berth. The Dogs entered the contest sitting fifth in the OVAC Class 2A standings, just an eyelash behind Clay-Battelle.

“It was a great team win,” Andes said. “We played aggressively and with confidence. We played a super first half and built a nice lead.

“I was happy with how we executed down the stretch. We showed a lot of poise for a young team,” added the former Tiger hoop great. “We needed this win. I am really happy for the kids.”

Shadyside did indeed start impressively, scoring the game’s first seven points en route to an 18-6 lead. Juniors Brandon O’Grady and Ryan Collins each delivered seven points in the surge while freshman dandy Michael Hendershot produced five markers.

Bridgeport was able to pare the deficit to 22-18 at the quarter pole. Shadyside, however, put together another 22-point quarter to take a 44-28 upper hand into intermission. Hendershot again came up big with six points while senior ace Ean Weatherson contributed five markers.

Bridgeport trimmed the deficit to 48-38 entering the final chapter. The Bulldogs did make matters interesting in the final eight minutes, closing to within five midway through the final chapter.

Shadyside refused to crack, thanks in part to another freshman guard – Bryce Sloan. The 5-7 spark plug buried a trey, and after a Bulldog misfire, he added two free throws with 1:59 to play, making it a 59-44 Shadyside advantage.

Bridgeport sophomore Jaleel Vincent goaled at the 1:43 lighting. The following four possessions yielded two Shadyside turnovers and two Bridgeport missed shots before Collins goaled with 1:04 left, boosting the Tigers’ lead to an insurmountable 61-46.

Shadyside displayed excellent scoring balance.

Collins led the way with 14 points while Weatherson, who also did yeoman’s work on the boards, and Hendershot each netted 13 tallies. Sloan chipped in with nine markers.

“We had great offensive balance and we got positive contributions from everyone who stepped on the floor for us,” Andes said. “Michael and Bryce didn’t play like freshmen. They really handled themselves like veterans.”

Shadyside has little time to relish the win. The Tigers host a formidable foe tonight in Monroe Central.

Vincent turned in his usual strong effort for Bridgeport. The savvy point guard led all scorers with 23 points. Jaki Threet also enjoyed a fine night, tallying 14 markers.

“Shadyside came out really strong,” Bridgeport head coach Donnie Cash said. “We were able to weather the storm during the first quarter. But the big run they went on in the second quarter really turned the game around.

“We did a nice job battling back in the second half. We were able to cut it to five in the fourth quarter,” added the former Martins Ferry athletic standout. “But then we missed a breakaway layup and things went downhill after that.”

Shadyside committed 15 turnovers while the Bulldogs recorded just eight. Six different Tigers drained three-point goals.

Bridgeport staged Senior Night festivities prior to tipoff. The Bulldogs have two seniors — Avery Jackson and Lyrick Brown.

Bridgeport, which dropped to 6-10, visits River this afternoon.