“It was ugly, how about that.” The first words out of Coach Tim Barrette afterward described what a dogfight the Rams had with Southington High School Wednesday night. “We struggled early, allowing Southington to dictate the pace of the game.”

The Blue Knights surrounded Central center Donovan Clingan with three defenders most of the night, and Clingan seldom had any chance to make a move. Every time he touched the ball, Southington’s defenders came at him from all sides.

Central only led by a score of 18-15 at half time, with Clingan scoring just seven points in the first sixteen minutes.

But the Rams were equal to the challenge and came out strong in the third stanza.

Despite all the attention in the paint, Clingan came to life in the third. He totaled 11 of the Rams’ 15 points in the quarter as they took an eight-point lead heading into the fourth.

Central maintained a lead of 8-12 points throughout the second half and finished with a comfortable win.

Clingan led the Rams in scoring with 24 points. He pulled down 15 rebounds and had 6 blocks.

Damion Glasper added 11 points with 5 rebounds. He was 4 for 5 from the free throw line to help salt the game away in the 4th quarter.

Carson Rivoira had another strong effort, totaling 8 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. He also played phenomenal defense on Southington’s leading scorer, Devan Bade, holding him to a season low 7 points.

D’Ante Ross made a strong contribution in his first game of the season for BC, chipping in with 5 big rebounds.

Dylan Olsen led Southington in scoring with 15.

Bristol Central is now 3-0; Southington drops to 1-2.