(Chris Allen/Democrat-News) Junior Luke Brandt (15) sank a floater from the lane with 24 seconds left in the first half to give the Chiefs a 41-22 lead. [Click to enlarge]

ALMA -- The Santa Fe boys' basketball team sure was glad to play before its home fans for the first time since Dec. 1.

Better yet is that, instead of facing another state-ranked club -- which it had during a three-game losing streak -- the Chiefs opened I-70 Conference play against young Sweet Springs, rolling to a 76-49 victory.

At first, it appeared Santa Fe might be in for a struggle. Sophomores Tyler Dohrman and Billy Martin began the game with quick three-pointers for the Greyhounds, while the Chiefs missed seven of eight shots from the field.

However, before the first quarter was over, Santa Fe turned the momentum around and maintained it until the closing minutes -- when its bench gave up a small slice of what had been a 33-point lead.

After holding a 9-7 edge with 3:43 left in the opening period, Sweet Springs went through a six-minute scoring drought -- missing seven straight shots and turning the ball over eight times -- while the Chiefs took command with a 17-0 run.

Junior Taylor Wesley tallied seven of his 11 first-half points during the spree, which allowed Santa Fe to go into the locker room with a 41-22 cushion.

The third period went no better for the 'Hounds, missing nine of 13 field-goal attempts with 13 turnovers. At one point, the Chiefs tallied eight points in 56 seconds on a stick-back by junior Brett Case, two Wesley lay-ups -- the second finishing a fast break off of senior Kenzie Thorp's steal -- and a short jumper by Thorp.

With the continuous clock rule in effect for most of the final frame, until Martin's third bomb of the game closed the margin to 72-43 with 1:11 left in the game, Santa Fe could afford to empty its bench.

Martin finished with 15 points and sophomore Zach Thomas added 11 points for Sweet Springs (5-7, 0-2 I-70), which shot 29.1 percent from the field, committed 30 turnovers and was beaten on the boards by a 49-35 margin -- the last not surprising, considering the Chiefs had four starters and five subs standing at least six feet tall.

Wesley led all scorers with 17 points, with Case and sophomore Jeff Knipmeyer contributing 10 each, for Santa Fe (7-4, 2-0) -- enjoying a 68-55 advantage in shots from the field and 28-13 gap in free-throw attempts.

Both teams play St. Paul next, with the Chiefs on the road Tuesday and 'Hounds at home Friday.