UNIONTOWN — Butler proved to be Connellsville's equal in the first half.

But the second half saw two Golden Tornado starters just where the Falcons wanted them — on the bench.

Senior forward Jade Burka and sophomore guard Cody Fleeger had to sit out much of the second half because of foul trouble.

The Falcons (1-1) took advantage, prevailing 66-54 in the second day of the Laurel Highlands Boys Basketball Shootout Saturday afternoon.

When Burka left the game with four fouls and 6:18 left in the third quarter, Butler trailed 32-25. Before the period was through, Fleeger followed his teammate to the bench.

When both players returned — with 7:27 remaining in the game — the Falcons had pushed their advantage to 46-33.

"We actually had three kids with two fouls going into halftime," said Butler coach Joe Lewandowski of Burka, Fleeger and senior guard Blake Anderson.

"And when you have to sit key players for an extended period of time, it really hurts you. But we've got some young kids working very hard and we're looking for them to come off the bench and contribute for us when we need them."

"We've formed a decent little rivalry with Butler," said Connellsville coach Nick Bosnic. "They're very similar to us in that they play a physical game. When you get two teams like that together, a lot of times there's going to be some fouls called."

The Falcons played a strong defensive game, even when Butler had Burka, its top front court player, on the floor.

Burka was held to just three points in the game, but his absence in the second half took away the Tornado's biggest rebounding threat.

In the nearly seven minutes Burka was not in the game, Butler was out-rebounded 10-1.

Butler began the game by missing its first six attempts from the field, as the Falcons held a 9-1 lead at one point.

But the Tornado battled back and took a 20-19 lead on a two-point basket from Brian Deangelis late in the half, which ended with the two teams tied at 25.

"Their pressure hurt us at the beginning of the game," said Lewandowski. "We gave up some easy points early on, but we settled down after that."

Butler (1-1) was led by guards Adam Monday and Deangelis, who both scored 13 points. Blake Anderson added 10 points in the loss.

Connellsville also featured three players in double figures with John Dilworth (18), Lance Straughters (14) and Joe Leonard (10). Terrence McCrea and Clay Hurley were close behind with nine and eight points, respectively.

"Our scoring was really rounded today," said Bosnic. "We're hoping to get 10 or 12 points per game from about four different guys."

Notes:

Both teams committed 17 turnovers … Connellsville was a combined 17-of-35 from the free-throw line, while Butler was 5-of-10 … Butler drained nine 3-pointers, giving it 16 after just two games … The Falcons lost their season opener, 66-59 to the host Laurel Highlands Mustangs on Friday.

CONNELLSVILLE 66

Lance Straughters 5 2-2 14, Tyler Decara 0 1-2 1, John Dilworth 6 6-13 18, Joe Leonard 5 0-0 10, Jake Swink 0 0-2 0, Clay Hurley 3 1-2 8, Jarred Burton 1 4-4 6, Terrence McCrea 3 3-10 9. Totals: 23 17-35 66.

BUTLER 54

Blake Anderson 4 1-2 10, Jade Burka 1 1-3 3, Adam Monday 5 0-0 13, Cody Fleeger 1 2-2 5, Nick Martini 2 0-1 4, Aaron Dorondo 1 1-2 3, Chris Anthony 1 0-0 3, Brian Deangelis 5 0-0 13, Mike Pratkanis 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 5-10 54.

3-point goals:

Connellsville: Straughters 2, Hurley; Butler: Deangilis 3, Monday 3, Anderson, Anthony, Fleeger.

Tuesday:

Butler @ Altoona