By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

FRANKLIN FURNACE — The Green Bobcats have added some offense to go with their defense.

The Bobcats had three players in double figures as they beat the Western Indians 62-50 on Tuesday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

“We’re starting to find our offense and defensively we’re still holding teams to around 50 points,” said Green coach Bobby Blanton.

Cody Bruce had 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Bobcats (3-10, 2-6). Tyler Crace had 17 points, Rob Applegate scored 12 points while Adam Riffitt grabbed 7 rebounds.

Nick Shanks had 14 points, Brandon Brewster 13 and Bruce Knauff 12 to lead Western.

Lightle had 7 points as Western took a 14-12 at the end of the first quarter. Crace hit a pair of 3-pointers.

Colton Brammer and Crace hit 3-pointers in the second quarter as Green rallied to take a 25-21 halftime lead.

Bruce scored 8 points in the third quarter to extend the Bobcats’ lead to 43-36.

Green converted 12 of 16 free throws in the fourth quarter as Applegate made 5 of 8, Bruce 4 of 4 and Crace 3 of 4.

“We did a better job of handling the ball at the end of the game and we showed more patience,” said Blanton. “We’ve struggled with free throws all year so it was nice to hit some big shots.”

Green plays at Symmes Valley on Friday.

Western 14 7 15 14 = 50

Green 12 13 18 19 = 62

WESTERN PIKE (NA): Colton Ross 1 0 0-1 2, Bruce Knauff 2 1 5-6 12, Kane Leeth 0 0 0-0 0, Chandler Grooms 0 0 0-0 0, Colton Lightle 2 1 2-2 9, Robert Russell 0 0 0-0 0, Nick Shanks 5 0 4-8 14, Brandon Brewster 4 1 2-4 13. Totals: 14 3 13-21 50. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.

GREEN (3-10, 2-6): Kyle Frazier 0 0 0-0 0, Rob Applegate 2 1 5-8 12, Clay Applegate 2 0 0-0 4, Cody Bruce 8 0 4-4 20, Tyler Crace 1 4 3-4 17, Colton Brammer 0 2 2-2 6, Adam Riffitt 0 0 1-2 1. Totals: 20-49 15-20 62. 3-point goals: 7-15. Rebounds: 8-20=28 (Bruce 10, Riffitt 7, Crace 5). Assists: 11 (Brammer 3, R. Applegate 3). Steals: 1 (C. Applegate). Turnovers: 11. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Brammer, Bruce.