For eight minutes, the boys basketball game between Tecumseh and Northwestern was an exciting game.  After that point, the Arrows flexed their muscle and cruised to an easy 79-45 win over the Warriors in a Central Buckeye Conference crossover game last week.

Tecumseh used a 15-3 run to end the second quarter to open the flood gates, taking a 17-point halftime lead and going on to the win.

“We came out and took care of business tonight,” Tecumseh coach Roger Culbertson said.  “Every game from here on out is very important, and you have to come out and be ready to play.”

Tecumseh (10-4, 9-2 CBC) came out on fire to open the game, scoring the first eight points of the game.  Karson Williams did most of the damage, scoring six of the eight points with easy inside looks, as the Arrows led 8-0 in the first two minutes.

Northwestern came back quickly to close the gap to one point before Erik Smith hit a layup to give the Arrows a three point lead at 12-9.

Smith would be heard from many more times in this game for the Arrows, scoring 32 points, and scoring pretty much at will.

“I’m hoping he can build off of that,” Culbertson said.  “This big night is like a reward for what he has done for our team.  We need him to continue to score, and I hope it continues.”

Northwestern actually took a 13-12 lead with 2:16 left in the first quarter, but it was the last time they would be in that position.  Dustin Holmes hit a three seconds later, and the Arrows led 19-17 after one period.

Then the fun began for the Arrows.  Leading 25-21 midway through the second, Williams started a 9-0 run with a tip-in.  Chase Culbertson followed with a three-pointer, and when the dust had settled, the Arrows led 34-21 with just over a minute left.

But they weren’t done, as Smith hit a 15-footer, and Mike McKee scored twice in the final 30 seconds, as Tecumseh exploded to a 40-26 halftime lead.

“We were giving up a lot of easy baskets early in pressure, but in the midway point of the second quarter, we switched up to man defense,” Culbertson said, talking about their 21-7 second quarter advantage.

Holmes didn’t waste any time in the third quarter, as he buried a three to open the period, and Smith added a pair of baskets to push their lead to 47-24.  Smith scored 12 points in the quarter for Tecumseh.

As the fourth period started, it was Smith again doing the damage, scoring the first six points, including a three-pointer at the 6:50 mark.  He left to an ovation and 32 points.

The Arrows also received 10 points from Holmes in the win, as 11 players scored in the win.  They return to action at Shawnee on Friday night, 7:30 gametime.  Tecumseh also hosts Springfield on Saturday evening.

Tecumseh (79)- Beidelschies 2, Culbertson 3, Dixon 5, Frank 2, Greear 5, Holmes 10, McKee 4, Pierson 2, Rapp 6, Smith 32, Williams 8.  Total 79.

Northwestern (45)- Aldinger 2, Burns 14, Cox 5, Latting 3, Meldon 8, Nicewarner 6, Williams 7.  Total 45.

THS- 19  21  19  20 – 79

NHS-17    7    7  14  - 45

JV Score:  Tecumseh 82 Northwestern 28