Bowling Green used an 8-0 run to end the third quarter as they downed Central Private 51-30 in Thursday’s game on the road.

The Buccaneers (8-8 at press time), who were playing without one of their starters, Connor McCain (back strain), and with another starter, Patrick Roublow (ankle), seeing limited playing time, still led 27-18 at halftime. Roublow scored four points.

Coach Pat King said it was different not having McCain on the court and missing Roublow, who only played for about five minutes, for much of the game. He said the team, which was up 12-10 after one, had to find its way.

“The second half, we kind of took over,” King said. “Bryan Ottinger and Jared Gambino hit some big 3-pointers that helped us open up their zone. Trent Ball, K.J. Robertson and Spencer Graves hit some putbacks and midrange shots. We played much better in the second half. We were kind of testing the waters in the first half.” Bowling Green had 15 offensive rebounds.

Central Private trim-med the nine-point halftime deficit to 32-26 in the third quarter, but Bowling Green then began taking over.

Ball hit a field goal and a free throw to bring the margin back to nine. Ottinger knocked down a 3-pointer and Robertson was good for two. It was 40-26 after three quarters.

Ball led Bowling Green’s scoring attack with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting. He also grab-bed nine rebounds (six offensive), made three steals and dished out two assists. Robertson finished with 11 points, seven rebounds (five offensive) and three steals. Ottinger posted six points.

The fourth quarter belonged to Bowling Green.

Central Private scored the first-and-last two of the fourth period, but in between, Bowling Green put up 11 consecutive points.

Spencer Graves, who scored six points on 3-of-5 shooting and added five boards, made it 42-28 with a 2-pointer before Robertson added a free throw.

Gambino, who scored six points on a pair of 3-pointers, logged the next six points with both of his 3-pointers.

Brody Schillings capped the Bucs’ scoring with his only two points to make it 51-28, Bowling Green’s biggest lead.

Also for the Bucs, Jace Ball had three points with three rebounds.

Bowling Green played after yesterday’s press time against Silliman. They return to the court on the road Friday against Centreville. Tipoff for girls junior varsity is set for 4 p.m. with boys JV following with girls and boys varsity after.