By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

FRANKLIN FURNACE — One key win is in the books. Now it’s time for a bigger one.

The Green Bobcats got a big win as they beat the Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans 54-41 Wednesday in a Southern Ohio Conference Division I game.

With the win Green is 6-2 and unbeaten in league play at 5-0. The Bobcats play at co-SOC leader Portsmouth Clay on Friday.

“It’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be a huge game,” said Green coach Bobby Blanton.

Green had three players in double figures led by Patrick Pierce with 17 points. Cody Bruce came off the bench to score 16 points and T.J. McCloud finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Notre Dame (3-6, 2-3) was led by Tyler Noel with 11 points and Kevin Lewis added 10.

Pierce scored 10 points in the first half — five in each quarter — as Green took a 21-16 halftime lead after trailing 11-10 at the end of the first quarter.

The Bobcats’ defense held Notre Dame to just five points in the second quarter.

The Titans trailed 30-21 in the third quarter only to get within 32-29 at the end of the quarter.

“Our defense was a big key in the win,” said Blanton. “Our full-court pressure was the turning point in the game.”

Notre Dame tied the game at 32-32 to start the fourth quarter, but Bruce had eight points and McCloud six as pulled away to a 48-38 lead and the teams traded free throws over the final 1:19.

Notre Dame 11 5 13 12 = 41

Green 10 11 11 22 = 54

PORTSMOUTH NOTRE DAME (3-6, 2-3): Kevin Lewis 1 2 2-2 10, Brock Hannah 0 0 0-0 0, Tyler Noel 4 0 3-5 11, Blake Glockner 0 0 0-0 0, J. Kayser 0 0 0-0 0, Jacob Milani 0 1 3-5 6, Jeff July 1 0 0-2 2, Michael Mader 1 0 1-2 3, Brad Pierron 4 0 1-1 9. Totals: 11 3 10 41. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Noel.

GREEN (6-2, 5-0): Patrick Pierce 4 3 0-0 17, Chad Lewis 2 0 0-2 4, T.J. McCloud 3 0 6-6 12, Tyler Hughes 1 0 3-8 5, Tyler Crace 0 0 0-0 0, Cody Bruce 8 0 0-2 16. Totals: 18 3 9-18 54. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 28 (McCloud 10, Bruce 6, Pierce 5). Assists: 10 (Hughes 4, Pierce 2, Crace 2). Steals: 8 (Pierce 2, McCloud 2). Turnovers: 5.