Caldwell County used a strong second half to pick up a 54-43 win over Butler County in boys’ basketball scrimmage action Friday in Princeton.
The visiting Bears claimed narrow margins in the first two quarters to lead 22-19 at halftime.
Caldwell ran out to an 8-2 lead to start the preseason tilt. However, Butler came back to claim a 12-10 decision in the stanza.
The Bears then won the second quarter 10-9.
But Caldwell found its offense in the second half, outscoring Butler 18-9 in the third quarter and 17-12 in the final frame.
Tripp Branch hit six 3-pointers — five after the break — and totaled 20 points for the Tigers.
Adarius Riley had 11 points for Caldwell while Cole Smiley added eight, Jamarius Blaine had seven, and Cayden Fraliex and Jude East each had four points.
Parker Rice paced Butler County with 21 points. Solomon Flener added nine points for the Bears.
Caldwell will play its final scrimmage on Wednesday when it visits McLean County at 11 a.m.