TUSCUMBIA - Mason Bragwell scored his 1,000th career point for Belgreen on Wednesday, but the Bulldogs went cold in the third quarter and dropped their second game in as many days at the Bracy Invitational, falling 67-55 to Central-Florence in a consolation game.
Belgreen (11-3) led 28-27 at the break behind 12 first-half points from Bragwell, who hit two free throws with 15 seconds left in the half to reach 1,000 points for his varsity career. The 6’6 junior post player would go on to finish the night with 21 points and is now averaging 20.2 points per game on the season.
The Bulldogs stumbled out of the gate in the second half, turning the ball over on their first three possessions. Central (7-7) jumped in front on a couple of quick buckets by Jaden Carter and surged to a 37-30 lead on a three by Jeremy Bevis. Bragwell made a free throw at the 3:38 mark, but Central answered with a basket by Junior Summerhill and a three from Lane McCay to push the lead into double-digits at 42-31.
The margin swelled to 13 before Belgreen’s Jake Taylor got fouled on a three-point shot and made all three free throws to cut the lead back to 10. Central’s Ralph Barnett, a 6’4 senior who would finish with a game-high 23 points, closed out the third quarter with a basket to make it 48-36.
Belgreen shot just 1-for-10 from the floor in the third quarter and got out-scored 21-8 by the Wildcats.
The Bulldogs opened the fourth quarter with a jumper by Brant Bragwell and two free throws from Eli Hiser to get back within eight, but Carter nailed a three to make it 51-40. Belgreen hung around until the end, but Carter scored 10 of his 21 points in the fourth to help Central seal the deal and earn a date with either East Lawrence or Phillips in a consolation game at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The Bulldogs came out cold from the floor, missing eight of their 11 shots in the first quarter. They went 6-for-6 from the foul line, however, and trailed just 14-12 after one.
Belgreen picked up the pace in the second quarter, hitting five straight shots at one point to spark a 16-6 run that gave them a 28-25 lead. A bucket by Carter left the Wildcats trailing by one at the break, and they took control in the third quarter.
Belgreen finished the game shooting just 35 percent (17-for-48) from the field and committed 16 turnovers. The Bulldogs made just one three-pointer but were very good at the foul line, hitting 20-of-26 as a team.
Mason Bragwell shot just 5-for-15 from the floor but went 10-for-14 at the line on his way to topping the 20-point mark for the ninth time this season. Hiser scored eight of his 12 points in the fourth quarter and also had three rebounds and three steals. Brant Bragwell added nine points, and Jacob Mayberry finished with four points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Seth Taylor had four points, three boards and two steals, and Jake Taylor added three points and four boards. Gaven Taylor scored two points.
Belgreen will face the East Lawrence/Phillips loser on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in the Deshler Dome.