From Post staff reports
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Wilson Central knocked down six free throws in the final 48 seconds to seal a 61-56 victory over Bowling Green High (Ky.) in Saturday's Kentucky/Tennessee Minit Mart Challenge at Warren Central.

Coach Troy Bond's Wildcats led by 11 in the third quarter, but needed the final stretch at the charity stripe to hold off the surging Purples.

The two teams swapped the lead seven times in the opening quarter, with Bowling Green (2-1) surging ahead 18-16 on a three from Clay Sowell late in the period.

The Purples extended the advantage to 26-20 after a 3 from Nacarius Fant midway through the second, but Wilson Central (6-1) used a 13-0 run to build a 33-26 lead.

The Purples’ Devin Hayes made a 3-pointer on the final play of the half to shave the margin to four points.

The Wildcats scored the first seven points of the third quarter to take their largest lead of the game, 40-29, with 6:25 left in the period.

The Purples responded, switching to a full-court, trap defense, and made a 13-2 run to pull even, 42-42, late in the third.

The Wildcats scored the first five points of the fourth quarter and was able to hold back the Purples from there.

Bowling Green got as close as three, but the Wildcats hit 8-for-12 from the free-throw line in the final period.

Wilson Central shot 45.5 percent from the field and hit seven 3-pointers. Dee Oldham paced the Wildcats with 16 points, while Malcolm St. Louis added 13 and seven rebounds. Connor Brandon chipped in with 12 points.

After Tuesday night’s game with Smyrna, the Wildcats are idle until they participate in the Smokey Mountain Tournament Dec. 21, 22 and 23 in Gatlinburg.