Aces use dominant start to hold off Panthers

February 8, 2020 | 12:02 am

Updated February 8, 2020 | 1:21 am

Owensboro Catholic used a fast start to beat Daviess County on Friday. | Photo by Marc Ray

Owensboro Catholic got off to a dominant start Friday, then used their big lead to hold off a late rally by Daviess County for a 67-61 victory on the road.

The Aces (16-8) came out with intensity on both sides of the ball and opened the game on a 15-0 run. They went 6-for-8 from behind the 3-point line en route to a 20-5 lead after the first period, stretching their advantage to 38-19 at the half and 54-32 lead into the fourth quarter.

“We played really well in the first half and most of the third, then (Daviess County) had nothing to lose and started firing shots up and made a bunch of them,” said Catholic head coach Tim Riley. “We turned the ball over and started taking bad shots and let them get back in the game.”

Daviess County (6-17) rallied in the final period, using four 3-pointers and a renewed sense of energy on the defensive end to get within five points of Catholic before they ran out of time to fully mount their comeback.

The Aces were led by sophomore guard Brian Griffith, who had 16 points in the first half and 24 overall. Drew Hartz added 13 and Ji Webb had 11.

The Panthers were driven by the late-game heroics of senior guard Ryan Thomson, who scored 17 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter.

Riley was happy to get the win, but said his team still has to learn and improve from the game.

“We better learn something from this game,” Riley said. “We had a 25-point lead, and we’ve got to finish that off. We’ve got six more regular season games, so we’re just going to try to keep getting better and learn from games like tonight.”

Catholic goes on the road for their next game as they face off against Central Hardin on Monday. Daviess County plays again Saturday against North Bullitt in the Sportscenter Shootout.

BOX SCORE
OCHS  20-18-16-13—67
DCHS 5-14-13-29—61
OCHS (67): Brian Griffith 24, Drew Hartz 13, Ji Webb 11, Gray Weaver 8, Andrew Riney 6, Luke Scales 3, Sam McFarland 2
DCHS (61): Ryan Thomson 24, Logan Hillard 9, Koki Kato 8, Camron Johnson 7, Will Barron 4, Bo Stratton 4, Isaiah Tomes 3, Cole Burch 2

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2019-20 basketball coverage is presented in part by Rhoads & Rhoads Attorneys at Law

February 8, 2020 | 12:02 am

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