The Keith High Bears pulled out a 72-67 victory Tuesday night over the R.C. Hatch Bobcats in a fast-paced game that went down to the final seconds.

The teams fought back and forth for the lead for most of the game, but a series of made free throws sealed the game for the Bears.

Keith coach Tommy Tisdale said one key factor was not allowing R.C. Hatch to get second-chance points.

“I told them at halftime ‘fellas just relax this is a championship caliber ball team,’” Tisdale said. “We knew this was going to be a four-quarter game. Anytime you can get a win over R.C. Hatch it’s a quality win because they’re a quality opponent.”

Though his team lost, R.C. Hatch coach Homer Davis said his team played well, but didn’t do a good job rebounding.

“The key to the game was really defense,” Davis said. “We gave up too many rebounds. We have to work on not taking desperation shots at the end of the game.”

Keith jumped out to a quick eight point lead early, led by John Pettway, who had ten first quarter points and 29 points in the game.

In the last three minutes of the first quarter, the Bobcats stormed back to take a one-point lead.

The two teams jockeyed for position in the second quarter. Near the end of the first half, Bobcat player Bakauri Jackson gave his team the lead with a series of made free throws and two straight three-pointers. Jackson finished with 34 total points.

Keith’s Jequan Simmons quickly answered Jackson’s hot streak with a buzzer-beating three at the end of the first half, making the score 33-32 R. C. Hatch at halftime.

The second half was just as close and the game was deadlocked at 50 entering the fourth quarter.

Jackson and Pettway took center stage in the final quarter, scoring 12 and 13 points respectively.

In spite of Jackson’s efforts, Keith pulled away in the game’s final minute.

R.C. Hatch had a chance to take the lead in the closing seconds, but missed a contested three and didn’t get the rebound.