It took a while, but Verona eventually took control of its first-round boys' basketball state tournament game with visiting Saddle Brook. The Hillbillies pulled away in the second half to advance with a 60-41 triumph.

Travis Jocelyn led Verona with 21 points and nine rebounds. Jocelyn hit a trio of three-point shots, but also provided the exclamation point on the victory with a putback jam in the final quarter.

Zack Zaccone provided 11 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Hillbillies. Jack Farrell scored 10 points and Joey Zecchino added nine.

Saddle Brook, the 13th seed in the North 1, Group I bracket, got 12 points from Noel Rosa. Daniel Cruz and Pedro Morales had seven apiece for the Falcons, who finish the season 8-15.

Verona is now 19-7. The fourth-seeded Hillbillies will host fifth seed Palisades Park in the sectional quarterfinals.

For sports video highlights of this New Jersey high school boys' basketball state tournament game, click play in the box at left.