HASTINGS, Neb. — The Gretna East boys basketball team survived a late push from Hastings to earn a hard-fought road win 62-53 on Friday night.

The victory for the Griffins (6-3) came in the first meeting ever between the two programs.

Hastings (5-5) was the team that started out strong. The Tigers built a quick 7-0 lead but Gretna East roared back with hot shooting to take a one-point lead after one quarter. The Griffins drilled six first-half three pointers to lead 33-29 at halftime.

Gretna East picked up their defense in the third quarter and used a 9-0 run to take a commanding 14-point lead late in the third quarter. The Tigers answered back and hit a three at the buzzer to cut it to a 10-point deficit entering the fourth quarter.

Hastings kept chipping away in the fourth until they got it to 53-50. That’s when Gretna East hit a couple of free throws and a dagger three-pointer to win the game.

Gretna East: Hovie 18, Levinson 9, Rice 9, Brown 8, Hawley 7, Rhoades 7, Craven 4

Hastings: Vertin 19, Ablott 17, Kindig 9, Schneider 3, Kohl 3, Duang 2