The Bulldog faithful were biting their nails last night.

Despite being on the better side of an 11-point lead with less than five minutes to the play, Pike County boys’ varsity squad had to fight to the bitter end in its game against the Elba Tigers in the Bulldog’s regular season finale.

However, in the end, PCHS was the team on top as the final horn sounded as the Bulldogs won 61-55.

“We came out flat in the second half,” Bulldogs’ head coach William Moguel said following the win.

“We still have not learned how to finish games. And this is a time in the season where we have to be able to do that.

“But a win is a win,” he added.

This was just PCHS fifth win on the season, and just its second win at home.

After going into the break up 21 points at 36-15, the Tigers stormed back, outscoring the Bulldogs 19-8 in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 10 points.

PCHS was able to maintain that lead throughout until Elba made one last push, going on an 8-0 run, and eventually cutting the lead to a single point at 49-48 with three minutes remaining.

Geraland Knox would keep the Bulldogs afloat, scoring six of his eight points in the fourth quarter.

The score would remain close through the remaining minutes, as both team would try baskets back and fourth.

It was not until Anthony Sparks hit two free throws with under twenty second to play, that the Bulldogs would secure the victory.

Senior Kendrick Jackson finished with 22 points in his final game at home, while Jeremy Rumph and Sparks added 16 and 15 points, respectively.

After the game, Moguel said there was one problem that had plagued his team throughout the season – including the game his team just won.

“A lack of patience offensively has been one of our main problems,” Moguel said.

When asked what the best way to fix that problem going into the area tournament, the coach had an easy answer.

“We are just going to have to work on it by putting as much pressure as we can to get ready for Friday [against Headland].”

The Bulldog’s next game will be against the top team in 3A Area 4, the Headland Rams, who are 7-1 in area play and have an overall record of 20-6.

“Going [into the tournament] with a win is going to give us a little momentum,” the coach said.

“We have to have a mind set that we have to win – we have got to play flawless against a really good Headland team,” Moguel added.

The coach continued by saying there is still much to be down during the next three days of practice.

“It has been a tough season for us. [Our record] is the only real disappointment. These kids have played hard all season long with a tough schedule, in a tough area.

“We still got some work to do, and they should be ready to do come Friday night,” Moguel said.