RAVENWOOD, Mo. -- Regardless of the strides being made behind the scenes, securing that first win of the season is a big step for a developing team. Northeast Nodaway was able to check that milestone off on Friday night with a 37-28 win over DeKalb.

"It feels great," Northeast Nodaway guard Reece Gray said. "We just need to keep it up -- keep the win streak going."

The teams felt rushed early as both were hunting their first win and trying to jump out to an early lead. DeKalb took a 4-2 lead early on, but sophomore Lance Runde answered with a free throw and a long 2-point jumper.

The Bluejays and Tigers traded baskets to end the first quarter and then open the second quarter. Bluejay senior Jake Redden took over in the second quarter with the first eight points of the quarter for Northeast Nodaway.

"I just wanted us to get calmed down," Redden said. "Coach told us before the game to just get as many shots up as we could if we were open, so I took the opportunity to do that."

Runde added another bucket and Northeast Nodaway went into halftime with a 17-8 lead. Gray scored to open the third quarter and Runde hit a free throw to increase the lead to 20-8.

"Defensively, we are getting our hands up and communicating better," Bluejay coach Ike Werner said. "If we keep improving on that, then we could contend in more games for sure."

Runde hit a 3-pointer and Redden added a pair of baskets to increase the margin to 27-12 after three quarters.

"They worked really hard tonight," Werner said. "That was a tough matchup, but I am glad we got the dub."

Redden led the Jays with 12 points while Runde had 10. Kyler Scadden and Gray each had four points, Chase Allen had three and Keegan Hansen finished with two points.

DeKalb was led by Luke Miller with 15 points, Kale Cassity with six, Gavin Moore with five and Kaiden Myers with two.

"As a team, we can really take this win and grow," Redden said. "Keep growing and get better, and hopefully get some more wins."

Northeast Nodaway will return from Christmas break on January 7 with a home matchup against Nodaway Valley.

"We are just going to try to keep improving, keep doing better and keep the win streak going if we can," Gray said.