Nevertheless, the Red & Green found a way Thursday night.

Sparked by 24 points from junior Jaydian Johnson and 13 from sophomore Dom Gonzalez, Jamestown held off Frontier 55-51 in an Erie County Interscholastic Conference Division 1 boys basketball game at McElrath Gymnasium.

The win improved the Red & Green to 14-2 overall and 7-0 in the league, while the Falcons fell to 11-3 and 3-3.

But the outcome could have easily gone the other way.

Jamestown’s Elijah Farmer knocks the ball away from Frontier’s Nate Errington during the first half of Thursday’s ECIC Division 1 contest at McElrath Gymnasium. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Welcome to ECIC Division 1.

“There’s not a single easy night,” Miley said.

Jamestown led by as many as 11 points in the first half, but went to the locker room at the break clinging to a 23-19 advantage after Frontier’s Camari Smith drilled a half-court shot at the buzzer.

Combined with the strong inside play of 6-foot-4 senior Matt Larusch (19 points) and 6-2 senior Nate Errington (13 points), the Falcons continued to give the Red & Green fits inside.

“They always just play their butts off,” Miley said of Frontier. “They’ve got some size and some strength, and they use it to the best of their ability. They always make it tough for us, so we’re certainly glad to get out of here with a victory.”

How tough was it?

Well, Frontier took the lead on two occasions after intermission, the second courtesy of a 7-0 run in the fourth quarter, capped by Matt Siener’s bucket with 3:13 remaining, that put the visitors in front 51-50.

Then Johnson and Jamestown’s team defense came to the rescue.

“He stepped up and made a lot of shots tonight,” Miley said of Johnson, “and he’s certainly one of our go-to guys on offense. Fortunately, he was able to get hot for a little spell.”

Johnson’s drive to the basket resulted in a bucket and a foul. And although he missed the free throw — the Red & Green were just 11 of 25 from the charity stripe on the night — Jamestown never trailed again. Johnson’s two free throws with 24.6 seconds remaining pushed the lead to 54-51 and Bishop Butts connected on 1 of 2 from the line with 4.7 seconds to secure the victory.

NOTES: Gonzalez scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half. He also had three assists, two steals and a block. … The 5-10 guard was 3 of 5 from the arc. Two of his 3s came during a 21/2-minute stretch spanning the third and fourth quarters when Johnson and Greg Brumagin also hit from beyond the arc to spark a 14-2 run. … Butts grabbed 10 rebounds, but the Falcons held a 40-24 rebounding edge. … Jamestown committed only six turnovers compared to 11 for Frontier. … The Red Green shot 18 of 53 from the field, while the Falcons were 21 of 57. … Kian Bennett was the other Frontier player in double figures with 11, including 9 in the second half. … Jamestown won’t have much time to savor the close win as it will meet St. Francis at 6 tonight in the Centercourt Classic at St. Joe’s High School. … In the junior varsity game last night, the Red & Green ran their record to 10-4 following a 58-39 victory. Gio Jackson led the way for the winners with 17 points.

FRONTIER (51)

Alleca 0 0 0, Bennett 5 0 11, Dunz 0 1 1, Kibler 1 0 2, Tumpaloff 0 0 0, Errington 5 2 13, Smith 1 0 3, Larusch 8 3 19, Siener 1 0 2, Totals 21 6 51.

JAMESTOWN (55)

Farmer 2 0 5, Gonzalez 5 0 13, Brumagin 1 1 4, Rodriguez 0 0 0, Carlson 1 1 3, Butts 1 4 6, Johnson 8 5 24, Totals 18 11 55.

3-point goals — Bennett, Errington, Smith, Farmer, Gonzalez 3, Brumagin, Johnson 3.

Frontier 6 13 17 15 — 51

Jamestown 15 8 15 17 — 55

Jayvees: Jamestown 58, Frontier 39