Using some tenacious rebounding and a stifling defense, the Tulsa (Okla.) Central Braves steamrolled Battle 72-54 in the opening round of the Joe Machens Great 8 Classic on Friday afternoon.
The Braves racked up an astounding 20 offensive rebounds, close to half of their total boards, and used it to help them squeeze off 72 shots in the contest.
Battle should have known it was in trouble when Tulsa Central made just 4-of-21 from the field in the first quarter - and led 12-11.
The Braves were able to do that because their suffocating defense held the Spartans to just 4-of-12 shooting in that period and they also turned over Battle four times.
Tulsa Central (2-3) then forced nine more turnovers in the second quarter, where it outscored Battle 28-11 to go up 40-22 at halftime.
The Braves had doubled-up the Spartans 44-22 early in the third quarter when Battle went on a bit of a spurt, closing to within 50-39. But Tulsa Central pushed the lead back to 55-41 by the end of the quarter.
The Braves then pushed the lead to as many as 26 in the fourth before claiming the 18-point win.
Elihah Landrum led Tulsa Central with 16 points, while Ariyon Smith added 11.
Daviante Ostrander had 16 to pace Battle (2-7) and Tyler Gray chipped in with 11.