While DeSales (18-3) won its first Division II tournament game over Big Walnut at Olentangy Liberty by a comfortable 68-40 margin, the Eagles may have given the Stallions their most physical test.

"No question, I think that was the most physical game we've played all season," DeSales coach Blair Albright said. "It really took our guys the first quarter to adjust to that. I thought we came out and weren't as mentally prepared as we usually are. For whatever reason I don't think our focus was quite there."

DeSales led only 11-9 after one quarter, but held Big Walnut to just nine more points in the second period, while scoring 16 of its own.

Despite seeing the lead cut to 27-20 just a minute into the third, the Stallions left no doubt with 41 second-half points.

"That's the sign of a good team," Eagles coach Steve Comstock said. "We hung as well as we could for a while, but it was a matter of time before they beat us up on the boards. In the first half we were really good on the boards, but in the second half they got those second shots and opportunities."

DeSales senior Alex Kellogg led the way with 20 points, while senior Elijah Allen added 13 and senior Dane Johnson chipped in with nine.

For Albright, preparing for the next test (against Linden at the Ohio Expo Center Coliseum Friday at 9:15 p.m.) includes his Stallions opening the game a bit sharper.

"You can't afford to have a slow start like that," he said. "You have to give Big Walnut credit because they really challenged us early in the game and put our backs to the wall. Our kids got the message of what they were up against.

"I was happy with their response, but you can't be in a position where we have to have a wake-up call."

A win over Linden puts the Stallions in the district championship at the Coliseum March 9 (9 p.m.).