TERRE HUATE -- For the Greencastle High School boys' basketball team, Wednesday proved to be a better day

TERRE HUATE -- For the Greencastle High School boys' basketball team, Wednesday proved to be a better day.

The Tiger Cubs took out Monrovia in a pre-West Central Conference matchup in their second round game in the Wabash Valley Pizza Hut Classic, 70-56.

In the beginning, it looked like Greencastle was going to struggle with the Bulldogs. But after a slow start, things came together.

Monrovia took an early lead in the game, outscoring Greencastle, 13-11 in the first quarter, but that would be the only quarter the Bulldogs would control. Erick Burgeson and Brennan Burks kick started Greencastle's offense in the second quarter. Each of them had five points each with Burgeson hitting a huge three-pointer midway through the quarter, and Burks got things done on the inside for the Tiger Cubs, nailing two post shots and one free throw from the charity stripe. From that point on, it was Greencastle's game.

The Tiger Cubs went into the half leading, 26-23 and things would only get better for them.

Greencastle kept the heat on the Bulldogs in the third quarter. Cal Gard, who was quiet for most of the first half, stepped up and took charge of the Tiger Cubs' offense. Gard posted eight of the Tiger Cubs' 14-third quarter points, but he wasn't done yet.

After keeping one step ahead of Monrovia, outscoring it 14-12 in the third quarter, Gard and the Tiger Cubs lit the scoreboard up with 30 fourth-quarter points.

Gard put up 11 more points for Greencastle, shooting 9-of-11 from the charity stripe. Gard totaled 23 points Wednesday afternoon with 19 of them coming in the second half.

Greencastle went on to outscore Monrovia, 30-21, for the final.

GHS Coach Troy Greenlee was pleased with his team's performance, but still sees some areas of improvement.

"We played a little bit better (Wednesday), but we have been in a little bit a funk and nothing has come easy for us," Greenlee said.

With its win over Monrovia, Greencastle will move on to play Rockville in its third game of the tournament. Greencastle defeated Rockville earlier in this season, but Greenlee is expecting the Rox to come out and play.

"I really think Rockville is going to come at us with some confidence. It had big win against West Vigo and our guys will have to be ready to play," Greenlee said.

Along with Gard's 23 points, Burks came through with 18 points while Burgeson had nine points. Quinn Fenlon pitched in eight points while Michael Richardson and Brian Troyer put up five points each. Zac Remsburg had two points.

Greencastle's game with Rockville will tipoff today at 1 p.m.

At Terre Haute North

Greencastle 11 15 14 30 - 70

Monrovia 13 10 12 21 - 56

GHS -Burgeson 3 2-2 9, Fenlon 4 0-3 8, Remsburg 1 0-2 2, Richardson 2 1-2 5, Gard 6 9-14 23, Toyer 1 3-5 5, Burks 8 2-3 18. Totals -- 25-45 FG, 17-31 FT, 70 TP.

MON - Speck 3 4-4 11, Smith 1 0-0 2, Sampson 1 0-0 2, Benefiel 2 6-6 11, Graves 7 0-1 14, Grismore 8 0-0 16. Totals -- 22-47 FG, 10-11 FT, 56 TP.

3pt - GHS 1 (Burgeson), MON 2. Steals - GHS 4 (Richardson 2), MON 1 (Speck). Assists - GHS 4 (Gard 2), MON 5 (Brooks 3). Blocks - GHS 1 (Troyer), MON 0. Rebounds - GHS 18 (Fenlon 5), MON 18 (Benefiel 5). Total Fouls - GHS 12, MON 22. Fouled Out - Bowers (MON). Technical - Monrovia.

Next game -- Greencastle plays Rockville today at 1 p.m. at Terre Haute North.