By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

FRANKLIN FURNACE — A cat has nine lives, but a quick way to dispose of them is by rebounding.

The South Webster Jeeps out-rebounded the Green Bobcats 37-26 Tuesday and that proved to be the death blow in a 53-46 win.

“It was a good game. I’m not happy we lost, but I’m happy with the way we played,” said Green coach Bobby Blanton.

“The biggest thing was rebounding. We got beat on the boards, especially in the first quarter. Rebounding is what killed us.”

The Jeeps out-rebounded the Bobcats 14-5 in the first quarter but Green still managed to trail just 12-11.

Pat Pierce scored seven points in the second quarter as Green rallied to take a 24-19 lead at the half.

Austin Loop turned the momentum in favor of the Jeeps as he hit two quick 3-pointers to begin the second half and it was 25-24. The Jeeps went on to outscore Green 19-8 and go ahead 38-32.

“We did a pretty good job keeping Connor Scott out of the lane but Loop came out and hit those two big 3’s and that really turned the game,” said Blanton.

Cody Bruce scored seven points in the fourth quarter and Pierce hit a 3-pointer as Green got within 49-46, but the Jeeps’ Brandon Malone made two foul shots with 14.8 seconds left and push the lead to 51-46.

T.J. McCloud had 15 points and eight rebounds while Bruce scored 15 points to lead Green (12-5). Pierce had 10 points and Tyler Hughes had eight assists.

South Webster (12-3) was led by Loop with 15. Scott and Ashton Miller scored 12 each.

The Bobcats host Portsmouth Clay in a pivotal Southern Ohio Conference game Friday.

South Webster 12 7 19 15 = 53

Green 11 13 8 14 = 46

SOUTH WEBSTER (12-3): Austin Loop 2 3 2-4 15, Connor Scott 5 0 2-3 12, Ashton Miller 3 2 0-1 12, Josh Wright 3 0 0-2 6, Brandon Malone 1 0 2-2 4, David Sutton 1 0 0-0 2, She Goddard 1 0 0-0 2, Kaleb Kinker 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21-52 6-12 53. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 5-17. Rebounds: 37. Turnovers: 11.

GREEN (12-5): Tyler Hughes 0 0 0-0 0, Pat Pierce 2 2 0-0 10, Cody Bruce 7 0 1-2 15, T.J. McCloud 6 0 3-3 15, Rob Applegate 0 0 0-0 0, Tyler Crace 0 1 0-0 3, Clay Applegate 0 0 1-2 1, Chad Lewis 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 19-43 5-7 46. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 3-8. Rebounds: 26 (McCloud 8, Bruce 6, Pierce 5). Assists: 10 (Hughes 8). Steals: 4. Turnovers: 12.