By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

NEW BOSTON — Being on the ball helped stop the ball.

Green’s pressure defense slowed down the New Boston Tigers’ offense as the Bobcats posted a 51-38 Southern Ohio Conference win Friday.

“We played really good on-ball defense. Our defense in the second half was pretty good,” said Green coach Bobby Blanton.

Green (2-1, 2-0) found itself in foul trouble the first half with T.J. McCloud and Tyler Hughes having to sit out.

After taking a 9-8 lead the first quarter, Cody Bruce scored eight points in the second quarter and Clay Applegate came off the bench and the game was tied 22-22 at the break.

Pat Pierce scored seven points including a 3-pointer in the third quarter as Green took a 37-34 lead.

The defense limited New Boston to four points in the fourth quarter. Pierce had seven more points in the quarter — he was 3 of 4 at the line — and McCloud was 6 of 6 from the foul line.

“We were more selective with our shots, we attacked the basket better and we took better care of the ball and cut down on our turnovers,” said Blanton.

Other than the usual statistics, one key stat for Green was five charges taken including four by Chad Lewis.

Pierce led Green with 20 points while Bruce had 13 points and seven rebounds. Lewis grabbed six rebounds.

Levi Horsley scored 10 for New Boston.

Green played at Wheelersburg Saturday.

Green 9 13 15 14 = 51

New Boston 8 14 12 4 = 38

GREEN (2-1, 2-0): Tyler Hughes 1 0 0-2 2, Pat Pierce 7 1 3-6 20, Rob Applegate 0 0 0-0 0, Clay Applegate 0 1 0-0 3, Cody Bruce 5 0 3-6 13, Tyler Crace 0 0 0-0 0, T.J. McCloud 2 0 6-6 10, Chad Lewis 1 0 1-4 3. Totals: 18-54 13-24 51. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 2-11. Rebounds: 32 (McCloud 10, Bruce 7, Lewis 6). Assists: 8. Turnovers: 11.

NEW BOSTON (NA): Shane Buckley 1 0 2-2 4, Trey Branham 2 0 1-3 5, Josh Spears 1 0 0-0 2, Matt Mohr 4 0 0-0 8, Levi Horsley 4 0 2-2 10, Drake Thompson 2 0 1-2 5, Bentley Bledsoe 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 16 0 6-9 38. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Thompson.