ST. CLAIRSVILLE’S Carson Woodford (24) chases a loose ball against Claymont Wednesday night in Division II, Region 7 sectional tournament action on John Jenkins Court. Also pictured are Will Balgo (44) and Ryan McCort. The Red Devils won, 65-46, and will meet Meadowbrook Saturday night in Byesville.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Survive and advance. That’s what it’s all about when tournament time rolls around.

St. Clairsville did just that Wednesday night as the 7th-seeded Red Devils overcame an ice-cold shooting performance in the first quarter to eliminate visiting Claymont, 65-46, on John Jenkins Court in a Division II, Region 7 boys’ basketball sectional opener.

“I think it was a little bit of nerves. I just talked to the kids and told them that’s why you see those upsets in March because teams come out a little nervous,” St. Clairsville head coach Ryan Clifford assessed of his team’s frigid 1-for-13 shooting in the first eight minutes, the lone field coming on a triple by Ryan McCort as the horn sounded as the Mustangs held a 9-7 edge. “We were tight early, but once we got it going, and I knew we would, we were alright.

“The first one (tournament game) is the hardest,” he added. “Especially, the first quarter of the first one. We struggled from the floor. Those are shots that we make, and will make. We were holding onto the ball a little too long … I think we were pressing just a little bit. We’ve got guys who can shoot the ball. It’s just a matter of one going in and then the next going in.”

It was the Red Devils’ pressure defense that turned the tide, and the fact that the hosts buried 65 percent of their field goal attempts after the horrendous first quarter.

Claymont led 18-13 with a little more than three minutes remaining in the first half when St. Clairsville made its move. Avery Henry converted an offensive rebound and Colin Oberdick scored to make it 18-17. McCort then picked the pocket of a Claymont ballhandler and dribbled the length of the court for a layup as the hosts took the lead for good. On the ensuing trip down the floor, Oberdick stepped in front of a Claymont pass and duplicated McCort’s performance. Will Balgo added four points to cap a 11-0 run as the Red Devils took a 24-20 advantage into the lockerroom at halftime.

“Ryan and Colin have played on top all season in our press. They get their hands on a lot of passes and they turn into easy baskets for us,” Clifford added. “Once we got the lead Claymont was going to have a tough time catching us.”

Balgo, a senior, ignited a 21-9 third-quarter explosion with a trio of treys, including one that tickled the twine just ahead of the buzzer as the margin ballooned to 45-29.

“That’s what you expect out of a senior late in the year,” Clifford noted of Balgo’s hot hand.

Balgo, who committed to NCAA D-II Ashland University to play football, paced three Red Devils in double digits with a game-high 20 points. Henry, the 6-7 moose in the middle, added 15 and McCort finished with 10. Drew Sefsick added nine.

St. Clairsville also owned a commanding 39-28 advantage off the glass as both Balgo (13 rebounds) and Henry (10) dominated the paint.

“Our size was a big problem for them from the beginning,” Clifford said. “It put them in foul trouble early.”

The Mustangs were led by Connor Lynch with a dozen points. Three other players had nine each.

“In the D-II tournament, there is nowhere to hide, but we’ll be ready,” Clifford said of the Saturday night matchup with top-seeded Meadowbrook in Byesville.

The tip is set for 7.