The Goshen Eagles entered Tuesday’s game against Zion Chapel in need of their first area win. By evening’s end they did just that with a 53-26 win over the rival Rebels in Goshen.

The win for the Eagles evens up their area record at 1-1.

“It was good; a big win,” said Eagles head coach Fred Lowery. “I don’t thing we had won a game since the first of January. It’s big for the kids and hopefully gives them a little momentum and a little confidence.”

The Eagles fell to Samson last Thursday night 49-43 in the area opener. Despite the loss, Lowery believed his team played their best basketball of the season. They carried that momentum into Tuesday.

“We started off the same way,” Lowery said. “I told them in practice, if we start like we finished than I think we will be fine. We had a fast start and because of that, everyone got to play tonight.”

Senior Bree Griffin led the Eagles with 22 points. As a team, the Eagles had six players score the basketball against the Rebels.

“The ‘bigs’ got involved,” Lowery said. “We had 20 points from the bigs, which is good. I am proud of that.”

Anastasia Mallard finished with 10, while freshman Ella Baker had 11.

“That’s good,” Lowery said. “(Baker’s) shots just fall. She is just a ninth grader and she is going to be a pretty good basketball player. It’s a confidence booster to come in here tonight and get double figures.”

The Eagles attempted to put the game out of reach early when they outscored the Rebels in the first quarter 17-6.

The Eagles outscored the Rebels 20-8 in the second quarter and went into halftime holding a 22-point lead at 37-15.

The Eagles went on a 10-0 run to begin the second half and stretched their lead to 34 points at 49-15.

After the Eagles began making substitutions, the Rebels rattled off eight straight points and went into the fourth quarter trailing 49-23.

With most of the reserves in the game during the fourth quarter, the Eagles held off the Rebels in the fourth quarter to preserve their first area win.

The Eagles have four more area games remaining in the regular season and they have their eyes set on hosting the area tournament.

“There is a possibility if we can win these next three and beat Samson, then we tie,” Lowery said. “That is our goal. That is the motivating factor. That is what is what I have been trying to instill in these girls. It doesn’t matter about the record if we can win these area games. That is what is important.”

The Lady Eagles will try to pick up area win number two on Thursday when they travel to take on New Brockton.