UPPER DARBY — With four seconds remaining before halftime, Upper Darby coach Bob Miller threw his arms up, put his head down and headed for the locker room.

That was the way Friday night’s game went for the Royals: Plenty going on, but nothing worth watching.

The Royals stayed with Conestoga, Southeastern Pennsylvania’s lone unbeaten team, for 10 minutes. Fortunately for the Pioneers, regulation games last 32 minutes and the visitors cruised past the Royals, 65-45, to sweep the Central League season series.

Upper Darby (13-5, 11-3) took the lead two minutes into the second quarter, then Conestoga (20-0, 14-0) outscored the host, 40-16, over the next 16 minutes to take control for good.

The outlandish scoring spree was enough to send both sides over the edge. Players from Upper Darby and Conestoga began issuing shoves in the second half. Two technical fouls were issued to the Royals.

Even the post-game receiving line was uncivil, as additional pushing took place halfway through the handshake procession.

“There’s no bad blood between the teams,” Miller said. “At the end of the game, when you get beat up and down — and I don’t mean physically, I mean on the scoreboard — we lost our poise and we lost our control. I think it started in that second quarter.”

Senior Khayri West knocked down a jumper at the top of the key and gave the Royals their first lead, 14-12, with 6:42 to play in the second. It was the Royals’ last basket until the third quarter. The Pioneers went on an 18-2 run to close out the half, prompting Miller to leave the Royals’ bench.

There were a number of incentives for Upper Darby in this one. Aside from playing an undefeated team on senior night, a win would have solidified their District One Class AAAA tournament resume.

Additionally, a win would have created the need for a four-team Central League championship tournament, which will be tabled if Conestoga finishes the season unbeaten.

The Pioneers’ lead ballooned to as many as 24 points, at 52-28 in the third quarter, and the tension grew more severe as the game wore on. The Royals scored 12 of the next 14 points, and both teams responded by increasing their levels of physicality.

First Miller was whistled for a technical foul for arguing that foul calls against his players were not reciprocal. Then junior guard George Vlahos got T’d up, too.

“It’s hard to stay focused and keep going when things aren’t going your way and the calls aren’t going your way,” said Vlahos, who scored 10 points. “You just get aggravated going up and down the court when you’re down by 20. Every call matters.”

West, who led the Royals with 16 points, felt the same way.

“The fans were into the game. It was senior night. What do you expect?” West said. “Emotions were high. It was a big game for us.”

The Royals, who had won six of their last eight games, could not stop Pioneers center Jake Cohen. The 6-10 senior secured game-best totals with 19 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks.

Finding a remedy for Cohen was not as important as finding their footing — and quickly. The Royals face Garnet Valley today.

“I don’t think you really ever learn anything from losing a game like this,” Miller said. “You do find out what kind of character you have when you take the floor for the next game.”

Elsewhere in the Central League:

Marple Newtown 67, Harriton 50

Justin Power registered career highs of 18 points and 14 rebounds to pace the Tigers (12-8, 8-7), who assured themselves of their first winning season since 1995-96. Rich Nasuti tied a personal best with 15 points and eight rebounds and Steve Nucci had eight assists.

Penncrest 61, Springfield 38

Marvin Holman-Little (14 points, 10 rebounds) and Rodney Duncan (14 points) led the way for the Lions (16-4, 11-4). Andrew Radomicki tossed in 11 points and dished eight assists for Penncrest, which struck for nine 3-pointers.

Strath Haven 60, Radnor 58

Calvin Newell, who scored 27 points, made the difference with a steal in the final 18 seconds and a pass to Dan Morris for the game-winning layup for the Panthers (10-10, 8-7).

Johnathan Coleman posted a game-high 29 points for Radnor (11-8, 8-7).

Garnet Valley 44, Haverford 36

Joe Ranieri and Matt Mishler scored 11 and 10 points respectively for the Jaguars (5-14, 4-10), who snapped a three-game skid.

Primetime Shootout

Chester 61, Roman Catholic 47

Maurice Nelson scored 13 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter to boost the Clippers (17-2). Rahlir Jefferson tallied 19 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two assists.

Catholic League

Archbishop Carroll 60,

West Catholic 48

Andre Wilburn notched a personal best for the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds for Carroll (18-1, 12-1), which won its 11th in a row. Juan’Ya Green (15 points) made a 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter to give the Patriots a comfortable 16-point edge.

Inter-Ac League

Malvern Prep 49,

Episcopal Academy 44

Omari Grier dropped in 17 points and Cory Goodman added 12 for the Churchmen (10-10, 2-6), who were within one point until the final 30 seconds. Isaiah Baker scored eight more for EA.

Chestnut Hill 51,

Haverford School 34

A.J. Jones, who tossed in 11 points, was the only double-digit scorer for the Fords (11-9, 2-5), who were outscored 12-2 in the first quarter.

Tri-State Conference

Christian Academy 37,

Baptist Regional 18

Ryan Naylor scored 12 points in the first half for the Crusaders (6-11, 5-4), who also received seven from Evan Wisneski.

Nonleague

Chichester 71, Pottstown 32

Brian Parker led all scorers with 21 points as Chichester built a 38-14 lead by halftime. Michael Chambers-Coles scored 12 points and made three 3-pointers for the Eagles (9-10).

Visit Christopher A. Vito’s high school sports blog, Gettin’ Schooled, at delcotimes.com.