By RODNEY YOUNG
NRVSports.net
Pulaski County, coming off a home win over Cave Spring, went on the road Friday night and defeated the home standing Blacksburg Bruins, 67-50.
The Cougars (7-9, 3-4) were led in scoring by Jalere Harlow with 16 points. Justus Hash knocked down 15 and Braxton Merchant tossed in 14. Merchant scored all his points in the first half, while Hash scored 10 of his in the second half.
The Cougars led 22-17 after the opening quarter and took a 38-26 advantage into intermission.
Pulaski County would expand their halftime lead to 53 -37 going into the last period. They played good defense and were distributing the ball, looking for each other.
Cougar head coach Anthony Akers remarked in the locker room, “I’m very proud of the guys. This was another well-played, well managed game by the players. This was a team win, playing team ball. We shared the ball well tonight.”
Blacksburg got 15 points from Caden Byrd, but he didn’t score in the fourth quarter. Jose Sanchez scored 11, seven of those in the first half.
The Cougars played eight players and seven of them scored and they committed just eight turnovers.
The Cougar JV team came out sluggish in the first half as they tallied just nine points, and were down 18-9. They would then come out in the third quarter and outscore the baby Bruins 15-2 and went on to win 39-29.
The young Cougars are now 11-5 on the season.
Abijah Hendricks scored 11 and Chris Trueheart chipped in with 10pts. They outscored the Bruins 30-11 in the second half.
The Cougars are scheduled to be back in the Cougar Den Tuesday against the Hidden Valley Titans. JV Tips at 5:30 and varsity to follow. The Cougars will be on the road then Wednesday at Lord Botetourt and Friday at Patrick Henry.
Pulaski Co. – 22 16 15 14- 67
Blacksburg – 17 9 11 13 – 50
Scoring – Pulaski Co. – Harlow 16, Hash 15, Merchant 14, Bolden 7, Carrasco 7, Sartin 5, Sweet 3, Blacksburg – Byrd 15, Sanchez 11, Grafsky 7, Hall 4, West 4, McGinnis 4, Linkous 3, Holt 2
3- Pt. Goals – Pulaski co. – 7 ( Hash 3, Merchant 2, Harlow, Bolden), B-burg – 3 ( Byrd 2, Sanchez)
Total FG’s – Pulaski Co. 25, Blacksburg – 17
FT’s – Pulaski Co. – 10-16, Blacksburg – 13-20
Total Fouls – Pulaski Co. – 21, Blacksburg – 15
Fouled Out– None
Technicals – None
