A big third quarter on Friday night helped the Nansemond River High School boys’ basketball team end Great Bridge High School’s recent run of success on the Warriors’ home court.

Under Warriors head coach Ed Young’s tenure, the Wildcats have been the only team to go to Nansemond River and win twice in a row.

But a 23-11 third period for the Warriors on Friday helped ensure Great Bridge would not have that kind of success again, as NR won the game 64-41.

“Not bad,” Young said after the game.

The Warriors got off to another fast start, but a sluggish second quarter kept the game from blowout territory at halftime when the score was 24-15.

“We picked it up in the second half offensively, as well as defensively,” senior Devon Oakley said.

He was able to score on drives in transition, and Nansemond River also got a big boost off the bench from senior Jalen Ruffin, who ended up with seven points, six rebounds and three blocks for the game.

By the start of the fourth quarter, the score was 47-26, completing the recovery from the sub-par second period.

“We’ve got to eliminate those lulls, and that’s what playing together more and more will fix,” Young said.

He added he is still working on finding the combinations of his players that function together best on the court.

Whatever they end up being, they will likely include one or all of the Warriors trio that registered double-doubles on the night. Oakley ended up with a game-high 21 points, accompanied by 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals. Junior Scott Spencer had 11 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks, and senior Daniel Wallace recorded 10 points and 10 boards with three blocks.

The closest the Wildcats could come in the fourth quarter was within 16 points, but they still exhibited heart.

Nansemond River (2-0, 0-0) visits Indian River High School on Tuesday at 7:15 p.m.