Chris Porter-Bunton had eight in a back and forth first period as the Dragons led it 14-12. The second period was full of fouls and Bowling Green got red hot and turned it up defensively, forcing turnovers and stealing the basketball. They led it by 12 at one point, cut to eight in the final fifteen seconds before Byron Carver was called for a questionable block as Tucker Sine charged into him. Sine would make the free throw.On the other end, a steal that could have been called a reach-in led to a hit ahead to Sine who left it for Clay Stivers who jammed it in with two hands just as the buzzer sounded. 35-24 at the half…but everyone knows the third period is Warren Central’s time…and tonight…
It just wasn’t meant to be.
The third played out nearly even, but it was 49-35 as Bowling Green managed to extend their lead to 14. In the fourth, Central showed a few moments where it looked like they were going to make it a fight, but just could not get there. Frett throws held the lead in check and the Dragons couldn’t make enough threes to finish off the comeback before it got out of hand.
Bowling Green wins 68-53 with all their starters on the floor until the final buzzer. Up next, the regionals for both teams. The Dragons see their 15 game winning streak snapped and BG, led by 22 from Tucker Sine and 15 from Clay Stivers, get a measure of revenge for the regular season sweep against Warren Central.
Chris Porter-Bunton – 22
Byron Carver – 11
Jared Savage – 7
Tucker Sine – 22
Clay Stivers – 15
Joseph Ayers – 11