BILLINGS — A crucial second-quarter stretch featuring three consecutive steals gave Billings West the lead Friday night and propelled the Bears to a 59-42 win over Billings Central in a non-conference boys basketball game.
The Rams, who played their crosstown Class AA opponent within 52-49 in the teams' first meeting this season, took a lead into the second quarter this time around, but West senior Cade Tyson came up with back-to-back steals, his teammates added a third - all of them leading to baskets - and the Bears never trailed again.
West increased the lead to 33-19 midway through the third quarter as it stifled the Rams' offense.
The Bears have now won nine straight games, moving them to 10-1 overall on the season and 5-0 atop the Eastern AA. Central falls to 7-5.
