As the old saying goes, an ugly win is much better than a pretty loss.  Those words couldn't have been said more truly on Friday night, as the Tecumseh Arrows survived a terrible opening quarter to escape with a 51-36 win over Stebbins, in a Central Buckeye Conference matchup.
The first quarter offensive production was aweful by both teams, as only three field goals were made in the eight minutes of action.  Tecumseh scored in the first 30 seconds of the game, as Scott Snarr drove the lane for an easy layup, giving the Arrows a 2-0 lead.  It would be the only field goal they would score in the period.
Stebbins came back and ran off six points, but it took more than three minutes to do that.  The Indians took a 6-2 lead when Trent Mead broke the scoring drought with a free throw.  An ensuing free throw by Stebbins senior Khaleal McCormick with 1:21 left in the opening period was the final points scored during that stanza, and Stebbins enjoyed a 7-3 lead after one.
Tecumseh came back in the second, as Jordan Gozelski hit a pair of shots to close the gap to 11-7, but again, the Indians appeared like they were going to pull away.  Brandon West and McCormick both scored to pull their lead to 15-7, but the Arrows defense tightened up, not allowing Stebbins to score in the final 3:33 of the first half.
Tecumseh then ran off five points during that span, including points from Mead, Snarr, and Chase Culbertson.  The Indians held a 15-12 lead at the half.
Tecumseh came out firing to open the second half, as Dalton Davis lit up the Indians.  The sophomore point guard scored six  points in the opening 2:30 of the third quarter, giving Tecumseh an 18-15 lead.  When Gabe Winans-Berner connected on two free throws with 3:47 left in the third period, the Arrows had outscored the Indians 12-3 to open the quarter, and gave the host Arrows a 24-18 lead.
The Arrows kept answering everytime Stebbins closed the gap to two points.  Snarr hit a 10-footer, and Mead nailed a free throw to keep the Arrows in command.  They finished the quarter with three free throws in the final minute, and the Arrows led 29-24 heading to the final period or play.
Everytime the Arrows looked like they were going to pull away, the Indians fought back.  Tecumseh opened a seven-point lead midway through the fourth, but the Indians fought back to cut the lead to 34-31 with four consecutive points.  The Arrows would answer again, and when the game was 38-34, Tecumseh took over.  They ran off seven straight points, all from the free throw line, to increase their lead to 45-34.  In total, it was a 13-2 run that ended the game for Tecumseh, and loved their record to 3-2 overall.  Mead led the Arrows with 12 points, while Gozelski added 11. 
Tecumseh returns to action next Tuesday hosting Northmont, 7:30 pm.