DUBLIN, Ohio -- Anytime you can go into halftime with a 20-point lead while only giving up 10 points, you have to like your chances of winning. For Dublin Jerome, the Celtics found themselves in that exact situation, but had to fend off a feisty Dublin Scioto team in a second half rally by the Irish. Holding on in the final two minutes, Dublin Jerome picked up a crucial league win at home, 59-52.

Racing out to an early lead, Jerome applied great full court pressure in the first quarter, speeding up Scioto and forcing multiple turnovers. Limiting the number of quality looks at the basket for the Irish, Jerome executed almost to perfection in the first half on both ends of the floor. 

Senior 6-foot-8 center Andrew Golda dominated the first half, pacing the Celtics with 12 points and six rebounds to go into halftime with a 30-10 lead. Stifling a Scioto offense that can heat up in a hurry, Jerome was in full control going into the second half.

However, Scioto would not back down as the Irish never stopped fighting. As a few early Irish buckets allowed Scioto to get into a full court press, Jerome began turning it over as the Celtics stopped taking care of the ball at the level it had in the first two quarters.

Scioto junior guard Victor Mwamba led the charge in the second half, as the 5-foot-10 point's quickness and playmaking ability on both ends gave the Irish life. Cutting the Jerome lead to 40-26 going into the fourth quarter, Scioto put itself in a position to complete a very unlikely comeback.

Going on a 16-6 run in the first 3:20 of the fourth quarter, one of two free throws from senior guard Jacob Jones trimmed the Jerome lead to 46-42 with 4:40 to go. A trio of triples from senior guard Noah Brechbuhler and Mwamba charged the Irish, who had all momentum and looked to be ready to take Tuesday's game over.

However, the unsung hero for Jerome on Tuesday stepped up. Going on a 4-0 run by himself, junior wing Trey Ballengee stopped the Scioto run, putting Jerome back up 50-42 with four minutes remaining.

Trading buckets on each end over the next minute and a half, another three from Mwamba had Scioto down two possessions, trailing 52-47 with 2:22 remaining. Jerome would answer with points on back-to-back trips. 

Leading 56-47 with just under two minutes to go, Brechbuhler answered with another three, his fourth of the second half, trimming the Jerome lead to six points with 1:40 remaining. Scioto forced a turnover on the other end, as Mwamba raced up the court where Brechbuhler was all alone along the right wing.

Rising up for what seemed to be an almost automatic triple, Brechbuhler's shot was blocked by the outstretched arms of Golda, who put an exclamation point on the best game he's played all year, securing the rebound and the game. With Jerome up 56-50 still, the Celtics would let Scioto get no closer than seven points for the remainder of the game, holding on for a 59-52 victory.

In an offensive system that plays to the strengths of its personnel, Jerome received major production from Golda on Tuesday. Finishing with 14 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and two steals, Golda put together the best all-around game of his season. Controlling the boards and using his length on the other end, Golda was the steady presence that Jerome needed inside against a guard-oriented Scioto team.

Ballengee added 14 points and eight rebounds, making some key shots in the second half as he was the Celtics' hot hand in the final 16 minutes. Ballengee's ability to finish through contact inside gives Jerome another reliable source of offense on the interior, as the Celtics produced almost exclusively from inside the three-point line on Tuesday, scoring 56 of its 59 points from two-point range and the free-throw line.

Junior point guard Joseph Gaiten added eight points, five rebounds and a game-high four assists for the Celtics. Gaiten impressed with his ability to push the tempo and find open teammates in transition. Junior guard Joey Pickering added six points, including a few key buckets in the fourth quarter.

For Scioto, Mwamba was the go-to man for the Irish, finishing with a game-high 18 points, 14 of which after halftime. Mwamba applied great pressure defensively in the second half, forcing Jerome into a litany of turnovers, while knocking down some key buckets to fuel the Scioto rally. Mwamba added three rebounds, three assists and two steals in a very solid all-around game for one of the OCC's better junior guards.

Brechbuhler added 14 points, all of which in the second half, on four three-point field goals. A deadeye shooter who doesn't need much space, Brechbuhler's contributions were key in the second half. Brechbuhler added a game-high four steals.

Junior wing Depreis Owens had a solid outing, finishing with 10 points and five rebounds. A tough shot creator who is effective from mid-range, Owens added eight points in the second half alone, as Scioto outscored Jerome 42-29 after halftime. 

Improving to 6-4 and 3-3 in league play, Jerome will look to stay hot at home on Friday against Worthington Kilbourne. Dropping its first game of the season in an embarrassing showing against the Wolves, Jerome will be looking for revenge on Friday to get above .500 in OCC-Cardinal play.

Scioto will look to rebound on Saturday as the Irish travel to upstart Licking Heights. The next three games for the Irish are on the road as Scioto will not return home until Jan. 27 against Westerville Central.