Southwestern overcame a slow start with a strong finish to defeat Trinity Lutheran, 31-28.

The Cougars took a 9-2 lead Friday after one quarter and still led Southwestern 25-19 after three quarters, but the Spartans connected on 7 of 10 free-throw attempts over the final eight minutes to pull out the victory and even their record at 2-2.

Aiden Hartsell led the Spartans with 15 points. Jordan Jones scored eight and Matthew Clements and Grant Emerick each had four.

Southwestern outscored Trinity Lutheran (1-2) 12-3 in the final quarter.

The 31 points is the lowest winning point total for Southwestern in head coach Brady Days 16 seasons at the southern Shelby County school.

Mitchell Hackman scored nine of his team-high 11 points in the first half for Trinity Lutheran. Sage Broughton finished with five points.

Southwestern’s next two games are at home, hosting Lutheran (1-0) on Friday and Waldron (3-2) Saturday.

In another boys basketball game Friday:

Greensburg 61, Triton Central 43

At Greensburg, the host Pirates used a 10-0 run in the second quarter to build a 32-20 lead at the half that they never relinquished.

Triton Central (4-2) got as close as five points in the fourth quarter but could not pull off the comeback.

Ki Dyer topped Greensburg (3-0) with 14 points. Jeter Edwards had 13 and Colin Comer added 12 for the Pirates.

Josh Kemper led TC with 16 points. Alex Crouse finished with seven.

The Tigers open their Indiana Crossroads Conference schedule Friday when Cascade (2-2, 1-1 ICC) visits Fairland.