In a back-and-forth game, an early spurt proved to be the difference as Steve Keller's Blue Streaks (4-4) got out of Willard with an 88-84 victory in a game that turned into an old fashioned barnburner in non-conference action.

The win snaps a three-game losing streak for Sandusky.

The Streaks spread the wealth around during the early burst four of the five starters notched points in the outburst. Courdney Strickland led the way with four points.

"We have to run to be successful," Keller said of the early spurt by hi s team.

It just so happens that Willard coach Dave Hirscchy, jr. says the same thing about his team and the Flashes (1-6) did their share of running in the contest.

The Flashes took a while to overcome the early Sandusky outburst but once they did the teams traded points almost evenly.

Willard finally tied the game at 21 on a field goal by sophomore Marcus Hahler midway through the second period.

Hahler went on to be one of the big reasons why the Flashes were able to chase the Streaks to the wire. He had only two points in the first period but finished with a team-high 19 points, his best game of the year.

Willard continued to push the Streaks to the wire, especially in the fourth quarter.

Hahler hit a field goal at the five minute mark that cut the Sandusky lead to a single point -- 70-69 and the race was on.

Sandusky responded with a 7-2 run to push the lead out to 77-71 and Willard was forced to play catch-up, something that has been a struggle for the Flashes.

Dominique Stoval started the run with a field goal.Jay Page added the next field goal to push Sandusky's lead out to 74-69.

Hahler pumped in two for Willard but Cordney Strickland answered with a 3-point goal for Sandusky.

That's the way the contest went over the last three minutes. Sandusky had an answer every time Willard would make a run and in the end the Streaks. had just enough to claim their fourth win of the year.

"I was pleased with the start," Keller said as he looked at statistics which showed his team made a remarkable 29 of 50 two-point attempts and a respectable five of 15 from behind the arc.

The best statistic for the winners was four players in double figures. Jarrod Williams led the way with 26 points. Strickland finished with 17. Jay Page had 16 on the strength of a 10-point fourth quarter and Stovall finished with 15.

"In a lot of ways we lost the game in the first half because we lost their shooters and didn't do a good job in transition defense," Willard coach Dave Hirschy said.

Hahler led Willard with a break out game for him but he was well supported. Jalen Douglas came off the bench to score 17 for the Flashes.