BELLAIRE – Cambridge scored the game’s first nine points and never looked back en route to a 72-33 triumph over Bellaire at The House of Champions Friday night.

The Bobcats made the most of their full court pressure and transition buckets in seizing control from the outset. The Guernsey Countians forced the Big Reds into eight first-quarter turnovers in building a 20-8 lead after the opening eight minutes.

Things never got any better for Bellaire, still playing minus the services of two injured key starters.

Cambridge’s relentless play yielded a 41-18 Bobcat advantage at halftime. The visitors nursed a 63-29 upperhand after three periods.

Garret Carpenter turned in a spectacular shooting performance in triggering the Cambridge attack. The sweet-sooting senior buried eight three-point goals in a 25-point effort. He did not play in the fourth quarter.

“Garrett is a great shooter. He had an exceptional night,” Cambridge head coach Logan McCort offered. “We are surprised when he misses. Garret puts a lot of time in and it pays dividends.”

Cambridge had eight players reach the scoring column.

Cam Lauer was the only other Bobcat in double figures as he netted 15 markers. Austin Jenkins produced eight markers.

The win was the ninth in 10 starts for Cambridge. The Bobcats have a quick turnaround as they host Steubenville this afternoon in a marquee matchup. Cambridge’s lone setback has come at the hands of a strong John Glenn outfit.

“I thought we were a little sloppy in the first quarter,” McCort said. “But then our pressure really made an impact. We got out in transition and got some easy looks.

“I liked how hard we played. I know Bellaire is shorthanded right now but I thought we did a lot of good things,” added the former St. Clairsville High hoop standout. “We were able to rest our starters in the fourth quarter which is good since we have a big game tomorrow (today) with Steubenville.”

The loss spoiled another strong outing from Jace Violet. The talented junior was the main offensive force for the Big Reds, tallying 21 points. He buried four treys.

Hardworking junior Alex Padgett turned in a solid eight-point showing.

“Cambridge is a good team and their defensive pressure made us turn the ball over which in turn gives them more possessions on offense,” Bellaire head coach J.R. Battista said. “That is a problem because they shoot it really well. The math doesn’t work when that happens.”

Bellaire, which dropped to 1-8 on the season, was its own worst enemy, committing 25 turnovers. Cambridge, meanwhile, was quite the opposite, turning the ball over on just four occasions.

The Bobcats drained 11 treys on the night.

The Big Reds are also back in action this afternoon, traveling to New Martinsville to take on Magnolia.