Photo by Cody Nespor Linsly’s Gavin Jackson defends Magnolia’s Hayden Pyles. Jackson was part of a strong bench effort that helped the Cadets to victory Tuesday.

WHEELING — A competitive first quarter was quickly left in the rear-view as the Linsly Cadets pulled away from the Magnolia Blue Eagles to pick up a 70-44 victory at home Tuesday evening.

Back-and-forth action in the first frame left the score at 14-11 in favor of the hosts, but Linsly’s (4-3) superior depth quickly tipped the scales as the Cadets poured in 19 points in the second quarter and 21 in the third to build a commanding lead over the Blue Eagles (1-4).

“We’re pretty deep, I can run guys in and out and that was the deal tonight,” said Linlsy coach Dave Wojcik. “We always talk about making our conditioning a factor and our guys did a good job. I think their guys got tired in the first half and when the third quarter came I don’t think they had much in the tank and we wanted to keep the pedal down.”

Saddled with a young and inexperienced roster, Magnolia coach Dave Tallman limited his rotation to just six players throughout much of the game, while Wojcik routinely rotated nine players on and off the court.

“We have very little depth and obviously they have a lot of depth,” Tallman said. “I don’t want to say they wore us down, but our guys just have to get a lot tougher. They’re playing a half a step behind and they have to learn to play half a step ahead.”

The teams traded baskets throughout the first quarter with Magnolia’s Kaden Johnson draining three triples to power the Blue Eagles.

Better defense from both parties limited scoring chances in the second quarter until the clock hit four minutes, at which point the Cadets took off. Linsly put together an 11-3 run over the final four minutes of the first half to take a 33-21 lead into the break.

That momentum carried into the third, where Linsly opened on a 14-4 run. Raef Wykes fully broke the game open with a 3-pointer that pushed the Cadets’ lead to 20 points, 45-25.

It seemed like Wykes could not miss in the third as he netted 15 of his team-high 22 points in the frame.

“You make a shot and you start gaining confidence,” Wojcik said. “That’s what he’s capable of doing, we’ve seen that over the last year and a half. That’s what he has to do for us to be successful.”

An 8-2 run to start the fourth put the game away for the Cadets, who coasted to the 70-44 win.

A total of 10 players scored for Linsly, with seven making more than one field goal. In contrast, only five players scored a single point for the Blue Eagles. Linsly’s bench out-scored Magnolia’s 16-3. Tallman said that lack of depth has hurt the team to start the season and is a weakness that is hard to cover up.

“I coached football for 10 years and we could hide one or two guys, maybe three. In basketball, you can’t hide anybody, you’re going to get exposed,” Tallman explained. “And we were exposed (Tuesday). But it’s still a good game for us, it’s still a game that makes us better. It’s a little disheartening but I still think we’ll get there.”

Wykes led Linsly with 22 points and hit on 4 triples. Caleb Murray offered top support with 13 points, followed by Nate Coleman with eight. George Donovic and Will Taylor both added six.

Trevor Williamson led Magnolia with 19 points and a trio of 3-pointers. Johnson finished with 12 on four made treys. Brady Kocher added six.

Tallman said his goal has always been to have the team hitting on all cylinders by mid-season and still believes that the Blue Eagles will get there. A quick turnaround to host region foe Wirt County tonight will help that effort.

“It’s a big game for us (Wednesday) night, that is a big game for us,” Tallman said. “That’s the type of team we’re trying to get ready for. That’s why you scrimmage Wheeling Park, that’s why you come up to Linsly and play John Marshall, so (the players) understand what it takes (to win).”

Wojcik said his team is learning to be patient and play a complete game.

“Our guys think they’re going to get 10-point possession,” Wojcik said. “They’ve got to realize that it takes time and it’s a possession game. If you get stop after stop after stop, then things will happen.”

The Cadets will hit the road to play at Beaver on Friday.