BEXLEY, Ohio -- In a primetime matchup between Bexley (13-5, 4-4) and Columbus Academy (15-1, 6-1) on Friday, the host Lions had a major challenge on its hands against the undefeated Vikings.

As senior forward Shannon Stanley and sophomore guard Damian Davis combined for 26 of the Lions' 28 points in the second half, Bexley pulled away for an impressive 50-35 victory over the previously unbeaten Vikings.

After going into halftime tied at 22, Bexley held a brief 27-26 lead with 4:30 remaining in the third quarter. When it looked like Columbus Academy was about to take control of Friday's game, Stanley and Davis responded.

Scoring all 10 points in a major 10-0 run to end the third quarter, Stanley and Davis helped Bexley establish a 37-26 lead going into the final frame. Stanley's three-point buzzer beater put Columbus Academy on the ropes heading into the fourth quarter.

Playing keep away for the first minute of the fourth quarter, Bexley did not let Columbus Academy touch the ball until the 6:40 mark of the fourth. Columbus Academy cut the lead to eight at 37-29 with 5:40 remaining on a three from junior guard Dorrian Moultrie.

Responding like he did all night, Stanley scored a tough bucket inside on the next trip down the floor, putting Bexley's lead back up to 39-29 with 4:28 remaining. Trading buckets on the next few possessions, Columbus Academy did not manage to get back within single digits the rest of the way.

As Davis and Stanley knocked down key free throws, the duo's 26 second half points doubled what Columbus Academy scored as a team after halftime. Stanley knocked in 5-of-6 free throws in the final minute to lead Bexley to a key 50-35 victory at home.

The senior Stanley came alive in the second half, scoring 17 points and pulling down nine rebounds after halftime. Finishing with a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds, Stanley, a 6-foot-2 forward, played much bigger than his listed height for the Lions. Controlling the glass and finishing strong inside, Stanley was that imposing matchup on the interior that Columbus Academy did not have an answer for.

Davis added 15 points for the Lions, keeping the ball on a string and controlling tempo for Bexley. Davis, a 5-foot-10 sophomore guard, is one of the top breakout prospects in the area this season. The shifty guard scored five-straight points to end the first quarter, which was key in getting the Bexley offense going. Going 9-of-9 at the line on Friday, Davis played a tremendous all-around game for the Lions.

Junior guards Ryan Callahan and Anthony Welsh each scored six points for Bexley, both making key hustle plays for the Lions. Welsh finished with a game-high five steals, making the glue guy type plays that Bexley needed. Callahan's leak out score in transition with 3:55 remaining were the only points that Bexley scored outside of Stanley and Davis in the second half.

For Columbus Academy, junior forward Chris Boyle led the way with 13 points. Knocking down three triples in the first half, Boyle hit a buzzer-beating three to cut the Bexley lead to 13-12 after the first quarter. Boyle added seven rebounds, but only scored four points after halftime.

Moultrie had a solid evening, adding eight points and three assists. In a tough matchup with Davis, Moultrie's only points came on his three-point field goal to open up the fourth quarter.

Senior guard Addis Boyd added eight points and six rebounds, as he was the only other Columbus Academy player to score more than two points on Friday. 

After enjoying a big advantage on the glass in the first half, Columbus Academy was out rebounded 21-17 by the Lions, who secured 16 boards after halftime. 

After losing its last matchup to Columbus Academy on Jan. 4, Bexley has gone 7-1 since with major wins over Whitehall, Bloom-Carroll and the Vikings on Friday. Improving to 13-5, the Lions are one of the hottest teams in Division II and have great momentum heading into tournament play.

With four winnable games remaining, Bexley has a chance to go into the district tournament with a strong 17-5 record.

Columbus Academy will look to get back to its winning ways in a tough matchup at Whitehall on Monday.