Tyler Saltsman hit four three-pointers and finished with 21 points to fuel a second-half comeback that saw the Cougars beat Taylor County 51-39 in the opening round of the T. J. Samson Christmas Classic, being held at Barren County High School in Glasgow.

The Cougars never led in the first half, but the Cardinals were never more than four points ahead. The two teams were tied six times, but the Cardinals scored the final four points to take a 24-20 lead into the halftime intermission. The Cougars then put their stamp on the game by scoring the first nine points of the third quarter to take a lead they would not give back.

Saltsman and Travis Johnston had baskets to tie the game at 24-24 at the 6:10 mark, then Brady Clemons hit a pair of free throws to give the Cougars their first lead of the night, 26-24. Aaron Deviney then closed out the run by burying a three-pointer with 5:24 left in the period to push the lead to five points, 29-24.

Johnston hit a lay-in with 36 seconds left in the period that gave the Cougars an eight point lead, 36-28, but Taylor’s Tyler Moss hit a three at the buzzer to cut the margin to five points, 36-31 heading into the final period of play.

The Cougars then put the game on ice by scoring the first eight points of the fourth quarter to make it a 13-point game, 44-31 with 4:11 remaining. A three-pointer by Saltsman with 1:57 left gave the Cougars their largest lead of the game, 15 points at 49-34.

Tevin Webster and Matt McDonald both scored 10 points to share the team lead for the Cardinals. In addition to his game-leading point total, Saltsman also had six rebounds and two steals. Johnston joined Saltsman in double figures with 14 points, and added four rebounds and four assists.

Dustin Thomas had a great game off the bench scoring four points and pulling down seven rebounds. He also had two steals. Four players, Clemons, Deviney, Hunter Gary, and Trey Tinsley each scored three points to complete the scoring.

The Cougars were scheduled to play host Barren County in Tuesday night’s second round. The Trojans defeated Ballard Memorial 61-55 to reach the semi-finals. In other opening-round games, Campbellsville defeated Claiborne, of Tennessee, 58-49, and Glasgow defeated Bath County 79-43.