The Bellaire boys basketball team’s slow starts last week may have clinched them a winning edge Tuesday night.

The Cardinals limped out of the gate twice when Stratford scouted them, but left no doubt against the Spartans in their 5A-Region III bi-district game, sprinting to a 20-point halftime lead and easing to a 60-39 win at the Aldine Campbell Center.

“We were flat coming out last week but we talked tonight about coming out with energy and it worked,” Bellaire (26-5) coach Bruce Glover said. “I was pleased with our defensive effort and I was pleased with our energy.”

Joe Okafor scored a game-high 15 points and Tobi Oyedeji 14 for Bellaire, which led 34-14 at halftime. The Cardinals will play Cypress Springs or Morton Ranch in an area round game later this week.

Tevin Kelly led Stratford (17-15) with 11 points. Antoine Hicks added nine and Sterling Dailey eight.

“They hit some shots and we got rattled,” Stratford coach Mitch Hornsby said. “The shots weren’t falling and we panicked. I don’t think we were overwhelmed; I think we just panicked when our shots stopped falling and theirs started.”

The Spartans got within 11 twice in the third quarter but never closer.

Stratford, which returned to the playoffs after a one-year absence, graduates 10 seniors.

“This is absolutely the best group of young men I’ve ever coached in my life,” Hornsby said. “It’s been a pleasure.”

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