By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

ATHENS — In a game of runs, the Fairland Dragons finally ran away with it.

The Dragons used a big run early in each half to finally pull away from the Zane Trace Pioneers to pick up a 62-44 win Friday in the Division III sectional finals.

“We got the momentum and then they hit some 3’s to stay close,” said Fairland coach Nathan Speed.

“In the second half we buckled down and started playing good defense.”

Fairland (14-7) went on a 13-2 run to start the game and led 15-10 at the end of the first quarter. Blaine Fuller scored seven points and Jonathan Holbrook six to account for most of Fairland’s offense.

Zane Trace hit one of 10 shots to start the game but went on a 20-11 run after falling behind by 11 and got within 24-22 late in the half. Fairland managed to close out the half with a 28-24 lead.

Evan Salyers scored the first four points of the third quarter to start a 10-0 run for the Dragons who quickly went up 38-24. Chad Fisher and Holbrook scored six points each in the quarter as the lead grew to 47-34.

“In the second half we came out and picked it up. Chad really picked it up and got us going,” said Speed.

Fairland outscored the Pioneers 15-10 in the fourth quarter to win going away.

Fisher turned in a solid all-around performance with 17 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

Holbrook had 14 points and six rebounds, Fuller 10 points and six rebounds, and Salyers nine points and seven rebounds.

“We got some guys going tonight,” said Speed.

Ben LaGard had 11 points and Wes Beam 10 to lead the Pioneers (5-17).

The Dragons will now play Eastern Brown at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 7, at the Ohio University Convocation Center in the district semifinals.

Zane Trace 10 14 10 10 = 44

Fairland 15 13 19 15 = 62

CHILLICOTHE ZANE TRACE (5-17): Ben LaGard 3 1 2-3 11, Ian Carle 0 3 0-0 9, Brandon Cox 2 0 0-0 4, Jesson Hill 0 0 6-7 6, Don Henning0 0 0-2 0, Jacob Pontious 1 0 0-0 2, Dan Goldtrip 1 0 0-1 2, Connor Smith 0 0 0-0 0, Wes Beam 4 0 2-2 10, Mike Moore 0 0 0-2 0. Totals: 15-47 10-17 44. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: Goldtrip, Hill. 3-point goals: 4-20. Rebounds: Beam 7). Assists: 7 (Carle 3). Steals: 0. Turnovers: 15.

FAIRLAND (14-7): Jon Baise 2 0 0-0 4, Chad Fisher 5 1 4-7 17, Alec Warner 0 0 1-2 1, Evan Maddox 1 0 3-4 5, Blaine Fuller 3 0 4-6 10, Jonathan Holbrook 6 0 2-3 14, Matt Campbell 1 0 0-0 2, Evan Salyers 3 0 3-4 9, Eric Riley 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22-45 17-26 62. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Riley. 3-point goals: 1-8. Rebounds: 32 (Fisher 7, Salyers 7, Holbrook 6, Fuller 6). Assists: 12 (Fisher 7). Steals: 7 (Fisher 4). Turnovers: 7.