The Elizabethton Cyclones had been chasing that elusive first win for seven games before finally cornering the Happy Valley Warriors in Bayless Gymnasium for a 53-42 victory.

Both teams battled tooth and nail for three quarters as Elizabethton worked to a 29-26 halftime advantage and increased that lead to 38-33 edge heading to the fourth quarter.

Eric Wilson was the go-to man in the first half for Elizabethton collecting 14 of his game-high 17 points in the same span. Included in Wilson’s total was a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe.

Nico Ashley added seven points in a supportive role in the half as did Evan Perkins with five points.

Brayden Sams and Noah Stevens kept the Warriors in contention with seven points apiece while Kevin Whitaker dropped in six points with two deep bombs.

With a raucous student cheering section on both sides of the floor going at it hard with cheers and chants, both teams feel right in line duking it out like two prize fighters needing a boost to their career.

Adam Cornett took the Cyclones under his wing as Cornett scored 11 second-half points to help finally get the Cyclones into the win column.

Perkins also had some clutch shots when ‘Betsy needed it down the stretch scoring six points.

The Warriors offensively couldn’t get rolling in the second half scoring only 16 points in two-quarters of play with a lot of that thanks to the defensive play of the Cyclones forcing turnovers on several possessions.

Cornett and Perkins finished with 11 points apiece behind Wilson’s 17 for Elizabethton. Ashley chipped in with nine points.

Stevens showed the way for the Warriors with 15 points followed by Sams with nine points and eight from Whitaker.