The Tucker Tiger beat the Bainbridge Bearcats 72-66 Wednesday night at the Gwinnett Arena eliminating them from the State AAAA Final 4 Tournament and sending them to Friday’s state championship game.

The two teams were all tied up at 15 at the end of the first quarter. The Cats’ biggest lead in the first was by three points when Melzie Johnson put us up 11-9 with a rebound and putback.

Back to back three point shots by Johnson and Maquis Williams put us up by six points 23-17 early in the second quarter.

Two free throws by James Lodman put the Bearcats up 28-17.

Johnson put the Bearcats up 30-20 with a rebound and putback but then Tucker responded with a three point shot to cut the lead back to seven late in the second quarter.

The Tigers cut the Bearcats’ lead to 37-33 going into half time.

Williams opened the second half scoring a three point shot and putting the Bearcats up 40-33.

After giving up the lead with less than four remaining in the third quarter, Johnson hit a free throw to tie the game 45-45 with 2:11 left in the quarter.

Nearing the end of the third quarter the score was again tie at 49-49.

With only seconds remaining in the third quarter, Christopher Kingsbury for the Tigers hit a three point shot to send the Tigers to the fourth quarter with a 52-49 lead.

The Bearcats trail by seven points with five minutes remaining in the game, 59-52.

Devario thomas hit a three point shot to pull the Bearcats’ within six with little over three minutes left in the fourth at 61-55.

Williams hit another three pointer to cut the Tigers’ lead to five with two minutes remaining.

Williams, who was the Bearcats’ leading scorer with 21 points, hit two more three pointers in the final minute of the game to keep the Bearcats close.

The Tigers’ Manny Atkins took game scoring honors with 28 points.

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