By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

WHEELERSBURG — Fast start, strong finish.

The Wheelersburg Pirates jumped out to a big early lead and also had a strong fourth quarter to beat the Fairland Dragons 73-55 Tuesday.

Wheelersburg led 22-6 after the first quarter. The Dragons were down 36-21 at the half and cut the deficit to 54-41 after three quarters.

But the Pirates outscored the Dragons 19-14 in the fourth quarter and improved to 5-1.

In a battle of big men, Wheelersburg’s Andy Stegman had 28 points while Fairland’s Evan Salyers scored 10.

Chad Fisher scored 22 points including four 3-pointers to lead Fairland (3-3). Jonathan Holbrook added 11.

Austin McBee scored 16 and Webb Ballard 12 for the Pirates.

Wheelersburg hosts Chesapeake Thursday.

Fairland 6 15 20 14 = 55

Wheelersburg 22 14 18 19 = 73

FAIRLAND (3-3): Chad Fisher 3 4 4 22, Alec Warner 1 0 2 4, Eric Riley 1 0 0 2, Jonathan Holbrook 4 1 0 11, Evan Salyers 4 0 2 10, Ryan Wooten 2 0 2 6. Totals: 15 5 10 55.

WHEELERSBURG (5-1): Austin McBee 3 2 4 16, Brandon Schankweiler 2 0 3 7, Webb Ballard 2 2 2 12, Clay Massie 2 1 1 8, Shane Ward 1 0 0 2, Andy Stegman 8 0 121 28. Totals: 18 5 22 73.