By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

MINFORD — The Green Bobcats keep getting close and it’s got coach Bobby Blanton wondering when they’re finally going to grab the cigar.

Green played another game to the wire but came up short as the Minford Falcons avoided the upset with a 51-46 win on Friday.

“We showed improvement, but we had turnovers at critical times. We have to learn to close out games,” said Blanton. “We’re not as bad as our record. We’ve lost a lot of close games.”

Austin McBee had a game-high 26 points — 18 in the first half — to lead Minford (4-2). Jared McCray added 10 points.

Cody Bruce scored 25 points to lead the Bobcats (1-6).

McBee scored 11 points in the first quarter as Minford took a 13-7 lead. He had 7 more points in the second quarter and the Bobcats trailed 27-17 at the half.

Bruce had 11 points in the third quarter and Tyler Crace scored all 5 of his points as Green cut the deficit to 39-34.

Colton Brammer hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 39-39 in the fourth quarter but McCray scored to give Minford the lead again.

Bruce tied the game for a second time but the Falcons outscored the Bobcats 10-5 over the final two minutes to get the win.

“We came out the second half and tried to locate McBee and we pressed them and got some turnovers,” said Blanton. “I was disappointed that we lost, but I was happy with our performance.”

Green 7 10 17 12 = 46

Minford 13 14 12 12 = 51

GREEN (1-6): Steven Blanton 0 0 0-0 0, Bob McClain 0 0 0-0 0, Rob Applegate 0 0 1-2 1, Clay Applegate 2 1 0-2 7, Cody Bruce 11 0 3-4 25, Tyler Crace 1 1 0-0 5, Colton Brammer 0 2 0-0 6, Adam Riffitt 0 0 2-4 2. Totals: 14 4 6-12 46. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.

MINFORD (4-2): Jared McCray 4 0 2-3 10, Austin McBee 7 2 6-7 26, Evan Howard 1 0 1-2 3, Nate Beasley 2 0 4-7 8, Tyler Gaines 0 0 0-0 0, Bo Vallandingham 0 0 0-0 0, Kenton Gullion 2 0 0-0 4, Noah Thiel 0 0 0-0 0, Tyler Sanford 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16 2 13-19 51. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: None