OIL CITY — Warren’s boys basketball team grinded out a physical 60-50 Region 5 victory over Oil City on Friday at Oil City High School.

Warren led just 10-6 after the first quarter, but methodically built that lead to 9 points by halftime.

“Defense has to travel and it did for the most part tonight,” said Warren coach Jeff Berdine, whose Dragons remain atop Region 5 at 11-1 (15-4 overall). Oil City — with two losses to Warren — falls to 9-3 in the region.

“We were able to get a working lead in the second quarter that held up through the second half,” said Berdine.

Lucas Thrift was 8-for-10 at the free throw line and finished with 25 points. The Dragons were 23-for-37 at the line for the game.

Chase Sitler and Logan Crissey added 13 points each for Warren, including a combined 10-for-12 at the line.

“It’s a tough place to win, so we will celebrate with some double-win donuts and get back to work trying to secure a region championship next week with Conneaut and Corry coming to Warren,” said Berdine. “One of our keys is always to dominate the glass on both ends. I thought we accomplished that tonight with all of our guys doing a very good job on their missed shots.”

WARREN (60)

Thrift 8 8 25, Sitler 4 5 13, Wotorson 1 0 2, Crissey 3 5 13, McMeans 1 0 2, Zdarko 0, Wood 0, Wyman 0 2 2, Corey 0 3 3. Totals 17 23-37 60.

OIL CITY (50)

Melat 1 4 7, Heise 0 2 2, Stinson 6 3 17, Singleton 1 2 4, Dasher 1 0 2, McMahon 5 1 12, Fink 3 0 6, Thompson 0. Totals 17 12-15 50.

3-point goals — Thrift, Crissey 2, Melat, Stinson 2, McMahon.

Warren 10 17 15 18 — 60

Oil City 6 12 13 19 — 50