BRANFORD — Around 900 students packed inside the Branford High School gymnasium on Wednesday for an in-school game between BHS and Taylor County.

Branford put on a good show for the crowd early in the game, but it was a huge run in the second half — played in a nearly empty gym after students were dismissed at halftime — that was the difference in the game.

Behind a 20-0 run that started midway through the third quarter, Branford defeated Taylor County 59-33. 

It was the Buccaneers’ second victory over the Bulldogs (1-10) this season.

BHS owned the boards on both ends of the floor, outrebounding Taylor County 43-20. Amber Hitt and Jessica Mott both notched eight points and recorded 11 rebounds.

Tori Suggs had a game-high 20 points for Branford, which was playing its first game in 13 days after Winter Break.      

BHS coach Carla Suggs thought a few changes helped her team pull away in the third quarter. Suggs went with a different playing rotation in the first half, wanting to get everyone some playing time in front of the crowd, but got back to the normal rotation in the second half.

“We missed a lot of easy bank shots in the first half,” Suggs said. “I talked to them a little rough at halftime. We did a better job of running the offense against their man (in the second half).”

Junior Trinity Thomas registered 10 points and three steals. Amelia Walbridge scored six points and Rene Root dished out five assists.

Branford is 11-5 and will host Union County on Monday at 6 p.m.