Down 34-29 at halftime, the message in Laurel's locker room was clear.

Don't panic.

Calm and collected, the Locomotives (2-2) went back and forth with the Billings Senior Broncs (2-2), eventually grabbing the lead for good midway through the fourth quarter on their way to a 67-52 victory in Senior's gym. 

Photos: Billings Senior vs. Laurel boys basketball

Images from the Billings Senior vs. Laurel boys basketball game Thursday at Billings Senior. 

Christian Jones led the way for the Locomotives in scoring with 13, despite playing with early foul trouble in the first half. Layne Willis added 12 -- 10 in the second half -- and Shay Osborne also scored 12. 

"I think we played really well in the second half after struggling in that first half a little bit," Osborne said. "We came together in the locker room at halftime and we just knew what we needed to do and we got it done in the second half."

Osborne knocked down a couple of 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter to help charge the Locomotives, who outscored Senior 27-8 in the final period. 

 

Laurel was also playing its first game since the end of winter break.

"It felt so good (to play again)," Osborne said. "We've been practicing for so long and we're just ready to play. Tired of beating on each other. It's nice seeing new faces, and we're just ready to go."

Gaje Leischner added seven for Laurel off of the bench in the first half. Willis and the Laurel defense clamped down on the Broncs in the second half, holding Senior sharpshooter Braxton Haws to seven points. 

"Coming out to the game, we knew it was going to be tough," Willis said. "Our main goal was to stop penetration, and their shooting is phenomenal. It's good that we limited their shooting behind the 3-point line.

"We have athletic guys that come off the bench and they can do their role when people get in foul trouble like that we need them to step up and they did a great job on both ends. That was huge from them."

Senior's Connor Kieckbusch led all scorers with 14 points. Nate Dick scored 12 and Slade Cobb added 10.

"We finally got to play. Too many practices, not many games," Laurel coach Pat Hansen said. "(Layne and Shay) are seniors and they are kids that are big for us. Those two, along with Christian, they've been on the floor at the state championship game. They were a huge part of us winning a state championship a couple years ago. They bring us experience and make good plays. They stepped up."