A fierce Butler County rivalry renewed Friday night with the Edgewood and Talawanda boys basketball teams both in need of a win.

Edgewood’s Cougars entered the contest having lost six in a row and the host Braves hoped to end a three-game skid.

Courtesy of a game-high 14 points from Tyler Goodwin and nine from Mason Back, the Cougars avoided the season sweep by the Braves with a 34-29 triumph on Coaches for Cancer night at Talawanda.

The Cougars missed the front end of the one-and-one three times in the final minute but the Braves couldn’t capitalize.

Goodwin snagged a rebound after a Talawanda trey effort was long with eight seconds left. The junior center then knocked down two free throws to seal the win.

Edgewood managed 12 points in the second half but it was enough as the Cougars improved to 3-15, 2-10 in the Southwest Ohio Conference.

“They made shots, we didn’t,” Talawanda coach Bobby Lipps said. “They were more physical than us. We played hard, we just came up short.”

Colton Adams and Elijah Mincy each tallied six points to lead the Braves, who fell to 4-14, 4-8 SWOC.

The Braves managed 12-of-30 shooting from the floor, including 1-of-15 from 3-point land. Additionally, Talawanda turned the ball over 17 times.

Talawanda had several chances late to take the lead or tie but missed free throws (4-of-9) and turnovers haunted the hosts.

Edgewood overcame a sluggish start to snag an 11-8 lead after Chance Conley’s putback as the first quarter ended.

Led by Goodwin’s six points inside and a clutch bucket and freebie from Back, Edgewood increased the lead to 19-14 before settling in with a 22-18 halftime bulge.

The Cougars managed five points in the third quarter but maintained a 27-24 advantage when the Braves only got six.

Both teams are back in action tonight with Edgewood hosting Badin and Talawanda hosting Loveland.