The Goshen Eagles earned a leg up on the rest of their area opponents by knocking off the New Brockton Gamecocks Tuesday night, 36-19.

The win upped the season record the Eagles to 7-8 overall, and 1-0 in area play.

Goshen trailed by three points, 10-7, at the half and did not record a single point in the second quarter. But a fast start in the third got the Eagles rolling and they never looked back down the stretch.

“Ivia Pollard got in to some foul trouble early, and we decided to just ride the second quarter out,” said Goshen head coach Jonathan Shedd. “We went in down three at the break, but I knew the girls could handle the pressure.”

Goshen got big third-quarter performances from Pollard and Lynze Price. Price nailed back-to-back shots early on in the quarter to give Goshen the lead, that the never would relinquish.

The one-two punch of Price and Pollard combined for 15 of Goshen’s 19 points in the quarter.

New Brockton attempted to slow the pace of the game down by putting all five players on the perimeter of the key and passing the ball back-and-forth looking for any opening.

Shedd said that his team is not as comfortable in the “half-court game” as others, and changed up the game plan some.

“We wanted to press a little bit more, and make them make some decisions,” said Shedd. “When we were able to put some pressure on them, they couldn’t get comfortable and we were able to put some points on the board.”

With the win, Goshen notches its first area win, and is one step closer to hosting the area tournament next month.

New Brockton, Zion Chapel and Elba make up the area for the Eagles.

Shedd the team is looking forward to the challenge.

“I told the girls in the locker rook that this is a big first step for us,” said Shedd. “If we can win out, then we leave no doubt who will host. Elba is the team to beat, I hear, but we have to take care of business with Zion Chapel first. We are peaking at the right time.”

Pollard led the Eagles with 17 points, and Price scored 10. The Eagles will be back in action on Friday for another area game at Zion Chapel.

First tip is set for 4 p.m.