ROSS CORNERS, N.Y. – The Cumberland Valley Christian Blazers pulled away in the second quarter and pinned a 54-38 loss on Bergen County (N.J.) Academy Thursday in the first round of the Ross Corners Christian Academy boys basketball tournament.

The Blazers (1-4) led 13-10 at the end of the first period and then outscored Bergen County by nine points in the second quarter to go up 28-16 at halftime. They forged ahead to a 44-28 lead by the end of the third quarter.

Caleb Eckert led the Blazers with 22 points, 10 rebounds, six steals and three blocked shots. Blaine Minnier pumped in 18 points, grabbed eight rebounds and picked off four steals. Also scoring for the Blazers were Isaac Kauffeldt (6 points), Kenneth Hott (6) and Triston Horn (2).

“We played well tonight,” CVCS coach Austin Sanders said. “The guys were aggressive from the tip and really dictated the pace of the game. We are looking forward to hopefully finishing out the weekend with a couple more wins.”

The Blazers, who held a 44-23 margin in rebounding, continue in the tournament tonight and Saturday.