GROVEPORT -- Playing a fourth game in eight days, Newark coach Jeff Quackenbush did not have to worry about tired legs on Friday.
 
In fact, he had very little to worry about in the Wildcats' most complete effort in two weeks.
 
Visiting Newark raced out to an early lead on the strength of numerous transition layups and a late run buried Groveport in a 74-41 Ohio Capital Conference-Ohio Division rout.
 
"It feels good to get a win," Newark's Christian Keller said. "Coach said as long as we played defense we would be fine. We knew we could get a win if we did that."
 
Newark (7-9, 5-5) held the hapless Cruisers -- still without an OCC-Ohio win -- to just 26 percent shooting and forced 18 turnovers, turning that into a layup drill in the opening and final quarters.
 
The Wildcats had 14 points in transition in the first quarter, rolling to a 20-7 lead, and then had a bevy of easy baskets to start an impressive 18-2 run in the final quarter.
 
"The fourth quarter, we talked about playing good defense, and our kids did that," Quackenbush said. "It's good to see your second unit get to play and do the things you work on in practice."
 
Ryan Dierks had 10 of his team-high 17 in the first, all coming in transition, including a 3-point play that ended the quarter. Bret Woolard had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Keller finished with 11 points and four assists for Newark, which shot 59 percent and finished with 24 assists.