Washington-Marion put together all the pieces, using a pair of big scoring runs to beat crosstown rival Hamilton Christian 54-35 Tuesday night in a nondistrict game.

The Charging Indians (2-5) held Hamilton (2-5) scoreless for the first 6 minutes of the fourth quarter as part of a 16-0 run that put the game away.

Justin Thomas got the run started with a 3-pointer to end the third quarter. Keshaun Stevens scored three fast-break baskets in the first 2 minutes of the fourth quarter and Nate Smith capped the run with a 3-pointer to give W-M a 53-31 lead.

W-M head coach Robert Palmer said it was the best performance his young team has put together this season.

“We finally came out and played defense,” he said. “As far as team defense, team chemistry and not being selfish, this is the best we have done all season. Everybody just came ready to play.”

W-M used an 11-0 first half outburst to build a seven-point lead. Tyree Brown, Jacoreyen Simien and Keshaun Stevens each hit a 3-pointer during the run while Thomas added a put-back basket.

Hamilton guard Elijah Belton scored seven points in the second quarter to help the Warriors trim the deficit to four points at halftime.

W-M made 7 of 16 free throw attempts in the first half and struggled to score at the rim. Hamilton’s Deion Ware and Malachi Evans combined for four blocks in the half.

W-M re-established control in the third quarter, starting the second half with a 7-2 run to stretch the lead to nine points. Hamilton go the deficit down to six in the final minute of the quarter before Thomas hit a long 3 before the buzzer to start W-M’s big run.

“We have been struggling all year with defense, chemistry and rebounding,” Palmer said. “Tonight we did a good job with the rebounding, and that was the difference. Stevens, Elijah Netty and everyone else stepped up and contributed tonight. We can always get points from Tyree, but we need others to step up too.”

Stevens led W-M with 16 points. Brown added 11 and Elijah Netty and Thomas added nine each.

Palmer said he is looking for growth in the next few weeks. Brown was the lone regular on W-M’s district-winning team last season.

“I have 15 guys and only one has played much varsity so it is a learning process, but we are going to get it,” he said. “We have to get better on defense and add some more scoring.”

Belton and Ware scored nine each to lead Hamilton.