Dublin…Playing each other just this past Friday in the Cougar Den, the Cougars won again over the Salem Spartans 70-54. The win for the Cougars means they will advance to the Conference 24 semifinals and will travel to Vinton Wednesday night.
Pulaski Co. (14-9) had a very even performance, scoring wise as they placed four players in double figures and a fifth player with eight points.
Bryant Grubb came off the bench to lead them the scoring with 17 points. Bryan Roberson knocked down three three’s and finished with 16. C C Grubb and Logan Robertson both had 13 points each as they combined for four three pointers. Braeden Blevins knocked in two three’s and had eight points.
Salem (4-19) was led by Baylor Mabes with a game high 19 points, as he knocked down four- three pointers. Shane Simpson contributed 15 in a losing cause.
The Cougars led for most of the game after the first four minutes. They led 16-12 after one quarter and 34-26 at intermission. Leading 55-47 going into the final period they outscored Salem 15-7 to put the game into the “W” column.
“I thought we moved the ball much better tonight against their defense,” said Andrew Hart, Cougars head coach. “ We had different guys that stepped up. Four guys in double figures and another just under is good. It was kind of hard to prepare for this game after just facing them Friday. I thought they change some things. We definitely played better and moved the ball here tonight.” When asked about facing William Byrd for the third time Coach Hart remarked,” They say its hard to beat some one three times. I look like it as a coin flip. If you call heads and its heads, there’s a 50-50 chance the next flip will be tails. We just have to Vinton and play hard and see what happens.”
The Cougars put the game away late in the third, early fourth as they went on a 17-6 run.
Pulaski Co. will travel to William Byrd Wednesday night in the Conference 24 semifinal game. The Cougars have beaten the Terriers both times in the regular season. Defeated them 48-45 in the Cougar Den back on January 25th and also 65-57 at Vinton. Both games went down to the last couple minutes and the winner of this game will advance to Regional play next week and the loser’s season if over. The game at William Byrd Wednesday will tip at 7 pm.
PC 16 18 21 15-70
Salem 12 14 21 7 -54
PC- (14-9)- B.Grubb 17, Roberson 16, C. Grubb 13, Robertson 13, Blevins 8,
Redd 2, Blankenship 1
Salem – (4-19)- Mabes 19, Donaldson 8, Simpson 15, Austin 5, Tucker 4, Conner 3
3-PT. Goals- PC- 9- (Robertson, 3, Roberson 3, Blevins 2, C.Grubb), Salem – 6- (Mabes 4, Austin, Conner)
FT’S – PC- 9 of 12, Salem – 10 of 22
Fouls – PC- 14, Salem – 13
Fouled Out – None
Technicals – None