Powered by a dominating third quarter performance the Northwood-Kensett boys’ basketball team got its second consecutive win Thursday with a 50-42 victory over Ventura.

The Vikings trailed 29-21 at half, but played strong defense in the third quarter to hold Ventura to just two points. Northwood-Kensett put up 16 points in the quarter to take a 37-31 lead.

The Vikings (6-6, 3-5) held on in the fourth for the win.

Northwood-Kensett weathered Tyler Betz’s 28-point performance as its defense got stronger in the second half.

Vikings head coach Marty Cotter had his team begin fronting Betz while playing zone and the tactic worked as Betz went for 13 in the second half.

Jacob Gordon led Northwood-Kensett with 15 and Trevor Davidson finished with 13 — including an alley-oop dunk in the third quarter that started to turn the tide for the Vikings.

Northwood-Kensett faces No. 6-ranked West Fork Friday at home.

Northwood-Kensett 50, Ventura 42

Ventura 16 13 2 11 — 42

Northwood-Kensett 10 11 16 13 — 50

Northwood-Kensett scoring: Jacob Gordon 15, Trevor Davidson 13, Sam Arnold 9, Jesse Davidson 7, Christian Burnes 4, Jayson Olson 2.

Ventura scoring: Tyler Betz 28, Jeremiah Hagen 8, Tyler Peterson 4, Dean Berhow-Goll 2.