After a sluggish first quarter, Fort Chiswell turned it up a notch, as the Pioneers defeated Auburn 66-40 in non-district boys' basketball action on the first day of the First Bank of Virginia Christmas Tournament being played in Max Meadows Tuesday afternoon.

Auburn will meet George Wythe at 4 p.m. this afternoon, while Fort Chiswell takes on Floyd County at 7:15 p.m.

The Pioneers (8-1) staked out to an 8-5 first quarter lead. They then outscored the Eagles (3-5) 18-8 in the second stanza to take a 26-13 halftime advantage. Fort Chiswell continued to burn the nets on the third quarter, outscoring Auburn, 24-13, to take a comfortable 50-26 lead into the final quarter. The Pioneers continued to hold the upper-hand in the final quarter, as they claimed the 26-point win.

Mike Hinkley led Auburn with nine points.

Corey Gravely led Fort Chiswell with a game-high17 points and seven rebounds. Nathaniel Worrell chipped in with 12 points and seven boards, while Cory Mabry added 10 points and pulled down nine rebounds.

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Photo: Auburn’s Jessie Rutledge (#22) heads down court against Fort Chiswell Tuesday night. (Photo by Richard Shumaker)