It wasn’t exactly the best of efforts, but Warren Central survived Tuesday, outlasting Owensboro 49-41 at Dragon Gym.

Warren Central (3-0) overcame poor shooting and rallied from an eight-point deficit in the second half with a late surge in the final minute to pull away.

“We found a way to win,” WC coach Tim Riley said. “It was a rough one. It was tough, but we found a way to beat Owensboro. Anytime you can beat that school, with that tradition, you have to feel good about yourself. It wasn’t easy, but we were able to pull it out, thank goodness.”

Warren Central junior center George Fant admitted the Dragons were a little sluggish after a big win Saturday against Lexington Catholic.

“I think we’re still a little tired from the Lexington Catholic game, but I’m happy we pulled it out,” Fant said.

Owensboro (0-2) controlled the first three quarters before the Dragons made a late comeback.

The Red Devils trailed only once in the first half and took a 22-17 halftime lead.

The lead grew to 30-22 after a bucket by T.J. Carbon with 2:48 left in the third quarter, before the Dragons started their comeback. Warren Central outscored Owensboro 10-2 to end the quarter, including a layup from Shamarcus Wells in the final seconds, to tie the score at 32-32.

Owensboro scored the first four points in the final frame and led 38-35 after a jumper by Ross Gilliam with 3:38 left.

The Dragons took over from there with a decisive 14-0 run. Jacob King started the scoring with a 3-pointer that tied the game with 3:18 left. Fant then gave Warren Central its first lead since the second quarter when he drove into the lane and completed a three-point play with 1:59 remaining.

The Dragons put the game away with a 3 from Spence Sheldon and five free throws in the final 47 seconds to extend the advantage to 49-38. Owensboro hit a 3 late to make the final margin under 10 points.

Warren Central finished the game 17-for-44 from the floor overall and 3-for-12 from 3-point range.

“We weren’t making any shots,” Riley said. “It’s hard to look like you are playing well when you don’t make any shots. We were sluggish. We had a big game Saturday night and the (Minit Mart Kentucky vs. Tennessee High School Basketball Challenge) coming up this weekend. I think this was a rough game for us. You have to give Owensboro credit. They guarded us and we struggled to get anything down.”

Fant had 11 points to lead the Dragons, while Wells finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

“I’m really pleased with Shamarcus Wells,” Riley said. “He really played his tail off. He played really, really hard and gave us a lift.”

Gilliam had 12 points to lead Owensboro, which shot 18-for-53 from the field.

Warren Central returns to action Saturday against White Station of Memphis, Tenn., in the Kentucky vs. Tennessee event, which the Dragons are hosting.

OHS 15 7 10 9 – 41

WCHS 14 3 15 17 – 49

OHS – Johnson 3, Bowling 6, Maddox 8, Hollowell 7, Gilliam 12, Carbon 2, Brown 1, Webb 2.

WCHS – Halcomb 2, Carpenter 3, Wells 10, Boards 4, Jackson 4, King 8, Bradley 1, Barber 1, Fant 11, Sheldon 5.