RIO GRANDE, Ohio - Coming off a tough loss, Midway got back into contention for a first-round home playoff game with a 74-71 win at Rio Grande on Thursday.

This was Midway's first-ever win against the Red Storm, having lost the previous 11 matchups.

The Eagles, who led by as much as 12 in the first half, fell into an extended lull, and Rio Grande got a 3-pointer from Jaelin Johnson two-and-a-half minutes into the second half to take a 46-41 lead.

But starting with a dunk from Daylon Tanksley, the Eagles put together a 7-0 run, kicking off a stretch that saw seven lead changes in a 10:29 sequence.

Seeing by far his most extended playing time of the season, Tanksley was the star of the night. After recording 16 points in three previous games of action, Tanksley had 21 against Rio Grande, including a series of critical baskets down the stretch.

He broke a 60-60 tie with a layup with 5:47 to play, then made two layups in the final minute, the last of which made it 74-71 Eagles with 15 seconds remaining.

After taking a timeout, Rio Grande had one more chance to extend the game, but fell short when a Delon McCloud 3-pointer at the buzzer was no good.

Amari Wales, who gave Midway the lead for good with two free throws to break a 68-68 tie with 1:40 to play, had 19 points.

Dontavius King continued his excellent, two-way play inside with 17 points and 14 rebounds. King has three double-doubles in his last four games, averaging 16.3 points and 11.5 rebounds in that stretch.

Thursday marked the first time this season the Eagles won a game in which they scored less than 82 points.

Midway and Rio Grande are now both 8-5 in conference play, fighting for the No. 2 seed in the East Division.

With a loss, the Eagles would have officially lost the tie-breaker to the Red Storm, who won a Dec. 2 game at Marshall Gymnasium 71-64. Whoever earns the No. 2 spot will get a first-round home game in the RSC Tournament.

The Eagles now need just one more win to clinch a spot in the RSC Tournament, and can get it at home Saturday against an Indiana Columbus team that is currently 0-13 in conference play.

The game will begin at 3 p.m. with a senior day celebration to be held beforehand.