T-L Photo/SETH STASKEY UNION LOCAL senior Beezer Porter goes up for a shot as Martins Ferry sophomore Tev’n Williams defends during the first quarter of Friday’s game in Morristown. The Purple Riders posted a 56-51 victory despite Porter’s game-high 25 points.

MORRISTOWN — The sample size is certainly small, but through two games, Martins Ferry has shown an ability to make plays down the stretch when it needs them.

And once again that’s what the game’s end result boiled down to.

Thanks to a pair of inside baskets from senior Landyn Hores and pair of defensive plays that led to easy scoring chances for Denali Jackson, the Purple Riders (2-0) closed Friday’s game at Union Local on an 8-2 run and pulled out a cherished 56-51 victory against the debuting Jets (0-1).

“We knew this (game) was going to be a fist fight,” Martins Ferry head coach Derek Edwards said. “They have four returning starters and they’re one of the best-coached teams around and they’re really, really good. So, for us to go on the road and really struggle offensively for much of the game and hang in and execute at the end is how you win close games.”

Jared Miller cashed in one of two at the foul line to give the Jets what proved to be their final lead of the game at 49-48 with 2:35 to play in the game.

From there, it was all Riders.

Martins Ferry took the lead for good on the ensuing possession when Hores, who played a solid game well beyond the boxscore, sealed off a Jets defender and was beneficiary of a Jackson pass for an easy bucket.

The Riders made it a three-point game a couple of trips later when Hores, who finished with a double-double that included 12 points and 11 boards, wasn’t blocked out, secured the board and got the put back.

Quite simply, Union Local never recovered.

“We talk about the little things during the course of a game all the time,” Union Local head coach Zach Delman said. “Whether it’s a costly turnover like a 10-count, back-court violation or a crucial time when we made a self-inflicted wound, those little things, in a tight game, start to add up.”

Neither team held a lead bigger than five at any point of the contest. Union Local actually stretched it to that margin twice, including after three when it led 44-39.

“Give Martins Ferry credit,” Delman said. “They’re a tough matchup with a couple of really solid players. Rebounding, which shouldn’t be an issue for us because of our size, became an issue. We’re trying to find some guys who can put the ball in the hole on the other end. We have to score the ball and unfortunately (Friday) we didn’t do a good enough job. I have to do a better job in the fourth quarter.”

Outside of senior point guard Beezer Porter, Union Local seemed out of sync offensively. Martins Ferry’s defense had something to do with that, too. The Purple Riders size and length on the interior was a factor against Jets’ senior D.J. Butts, who was held to just eight points. And Jackson recorded five steals as he bothered the Jets’ ball handlers.

“I thought our physicality and rebounding was important, especially what Landyn Hores provided,” Edwards said. “Union Local is a tough team to box out. We got some huge rebounds when we needed them.”

The Purple Riders were paced by Jackson’s performance. He finished with 21 points, three rebounds, three assists and the aforementioned steals. Sophomore Alex Reese scored 15, all of which came in the first half. Tev’n Williams hit a couple of big treys in the second half and finished with eight, while Mason Reddinger didn’t record a point, but collected nine rebounds.

On the other end, Porter was the lone double-figure scorer for the Jets.

Both teams are back in action Tuesday. Martins Ferry returns home to welcome Cambridge, while the Jets visit St. Clairsville.