By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

FRANKLIN FURANCE — The Green Bobcats were getting settled in during the first half. Coach Bobby Blanton decided to shake them up.

The Bobcats changed their plan of attack in the second half and rallied from a 7-point deficit to beat the Sciotoville East Tartans 59-55 Friday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

“We settled for too many jump shots in the first half,” said Blanton.

“We talked about getting the ball inside and we came out and got three layups in a row to start the second half and get us back in the game. That’s what we’ve been trying to preach.”

Cody Bruce had 23 points to lead the Bobcats (1-1, 1-0). Patrick Pierce had 17 points while T.J. McCloud added 10 points and nine rebounds. Tyler Hughes also had nine rebounds.

Bruce scored eight points in the first quarter as Green took a 12-6 lead. He had seven more points in the second quarter but East came back to lead 29-22 at the break.

Green came out the second half and outscored East 20-10 as Bruce scored six more points and the Bobcats took a 42-39 lead. Pierce scored 10 points in the fourth quarter as the Bobcats held on for the win.

“Pierce played well in the second half. He started attacking the basket,” said Blanton.

The Bobcats were just 13 of 34 from the foul line including 7 of 18 in the fourth quarter.

Sciotoville East 6 23 10 16 = 55

Green 12 10 20 17 = 59

SCIOTOVILLE EAST (0-2, 0-1): Nathan King 3 0 5-7 11, Cody Beluarc 3 0 0-0 6, Nathan Toller 1 1 5-7 10, J.C. Evans 1 2 7-10 15, Austin Elrod 0 0 0-0 0, T.J. Taylor 1 0 0-0 2, Devin Briggs 3 0 1-4 7, Cory Haywood 1 0 0-0 2, Larry Whitt 1 0 0-1 2, Patrick Bias 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14 3 18-20 55. Fouls: 26. Fouled out: Toller, Haywood, Briggs.

GREEN (1-1, 1-0): Steven Blanton 0 0 0-2 0, Tyler Hughes 1 0 1-8 3, Patrick Pierce 7 0 3-5 17, Clay Applegate 0 0 0-0 0, Cody Bruce 8 0 7-9 23, Tyler Crace 1 0 0-0 2, T.J. McCloud 4 0 2-4 10, Chad Lewis 1 0 2-6 4. Totals: 22 0 13-34 59. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: McCloud. Rebounds: 13 offense, 27 defense = 40 (Hughes 9, McCloud 9).