The Saints boys’ basketball team had a 20-point lead after the first quarter and went on to defeat Isle of Wight Academy at home Thursday night.

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy started off the new year with the 81-37 home win over IWA. The win put NSA at 9-2 on the season as the Saints will start getting more into conference play in the coming weeks.

After the first quarter of play Thursday night, NSA had a 26-6 lead. However, IWA did climb its way back in the game a bit, as both teams scored 17 points each in the second quarter.

In the second half, NSA returned back to its first-quarter form, as they put up 25 points in the third, running off with the game for the rest of the second half. Jaden Freeman led the team with 23 points. George Pettaway added 18 points with nine assists. Kemauri Spencer and Kaleb Brown added 12 and 11 points, respectively. As a team, NSA shot 55 percent from the field for the game.

NSA will go on the road Tuesday night to take on Walsingham Academy.

NSA 81, IWA 37

NSA—Freeman 23, Pettaway 18, Spencer 12, Brown 11, Hawkins 6, Hogan 4, Dugas 3, Knierbein 2, Duggan 1, Mounie 1

IWA—Wells 10, Savage 7, Powell 6, Hayden 6, Wothy 6, Williams 2