By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

FRANKLIN FURNACE — Change is good.

The Wheelersburg Pirates changed their offense in the second half and went on to beat the Green Bobcats 43-36 on Tuesday.

Green trailed by just one point at the half before the Pirates built a9-point lead in the third quarter.

“They changed their offense in the third quarter and started using a lot of back screens,” said Green coach Bobby Blanton. “We got a little tired in the second half, but I was happy with our effort. We played hard.”

Wheelersburg took advantage of six Green turnovers in the first quarter to lead 7-3. But Green rallied to within 16-15 at the break.

The Pirates got 8 points from Clay Massie including a pair of 3-pointers and Derek Moore hit three layups to open up a 32-23 lead.

Cody Bruce — who sat out most of the first half in foul trouble — had 7 points in the fourth quarter as Green saw its rally fall short.

Bruce led Green (1-2) with 12 points and 6 rebounds.

Eddie Miller and Moore had 13 points each for the Pirates (1-2).

Green plays at Western Pike on Friday in an SOC game.

Wheelersburg 7 9 16 11 = 43

Green 3 12 8 13 = 36

WHEELERSBURG (1-2): Eddie Miller 4 1 2-4 13, Aaron Cowgill 1 0 0-1 2, Clay Massie 1 2 0-0 8, Brett Hood 1 0 0-0 2, Dylan Miller 2 0 1-3 5, Derek Moore 6 0 1-7 13, Alex Shears 0 0 0-0 0, Tyler Claxon 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 3 4-15 43. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: None.

GREEN (1-2): Steve Blanton 1 0 0-0 2, Rob Applegate 2 0 2-4 6, Chris Applegate 1 0 0-0 2, Cody Bruce 5 0 2-6 12, Tyler Crace 0 2 0-0 6, Colton Brammer 0 2 0-0 6, Adam Riffitt 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 14-34 4-10 36. 3-point goals: 4-10. Rebounds: 15 (Bruce 6). Turnovers: 8. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: None.