The Switzerland County Pacers lost a close game Thursday night to the Lawrenceburg Tigers in the opening round the Rivertown Classic by a score of 55-49.
Pacer Ben Hickman began the scoring for the game with a basket, but the Tigers answered back with a three-point shot and a basket of their own giving them the lead 5-2.
Pacer Zach Getz then made a basket followed by a three-point shot by Chancey May. The Tigers had earned a point at the foul line and hit two baskets of their own, keeping the lead 10-7. Chancey May, with 2:41 left in the first quarter, hit a three-point shot to tie up the score; and then attempted another three — missing; but rebounded his own shot and went up and this one was good, taking the lead 12-10.
Zach Getz added two more points to the Pacer side with a basket to take a four point lead; but Tiger Antonio Long then hit a three-point shot and Matt Richardson also hit a basket giving the lead back to the Tigers 15-14.
The quarter ended though with the Pacers taking back the lead when Travis Webster hit a basket in the last seconds and ended the period 16-15.
The Tigers started the second quarter by scoring and taking the lead back 17-16 — but, once again Pacer Ben Hickman hit a shot taking back the lead, 18-17.
The Tigers then went on a run, hitting a three-pointer and two more baskets, giving the lead back to them; and the Pacers would have to fight hard to get it back.
B.J. Shelton, with 3:58 remaining in the half, finally connected on a shot for the Pacers, getting closer to the Tiger lead 25-20. The Tigers then hit two three-point shots, expanding their lead to 31-22.
The next run of points would be from the Pacers.
Josh Snow hit two baskets, Mat Deaton hit a bucket, and B.J. Shelton added a point at the foul line. The half would end Tigers still in the lead 33-29.
At the beginning of the third quarter the Tigers scored two baskets while the Pacers had only added one point at the foul line by Ben Hickman. Chancey May, with 4:02 left on the clock for the quarter, hit a three-point shot and Travis Webster hit a basket and added a point at the foul line getting in reach of the Tigers lead, 37-36.
The two team traded baskets for the remainder of the period, with the quarter ending with the Tigers still out in front 43-41.
B.J. Shelton started the final quarter by tying the score with a basket 43-43. But the Tigers replied with a three-point shot.
B.J. Shelton then hit another basket for the Pacers trailing now by only one. The Tigers responded once again with a basket of their own 48-45.
There was 4:09 left on the clock and B.J. Shelton once again connected a basket then 3:27 left on the clock and Travis Webster hit a basket giving the Pacers the lead for the first time since the end of the first quarter 49-48. The lead felt good for the Pacers and the fans were excited — but it was the last time in the game the Pacers would score.
The Tigers went on to score a basket and the rest at the foul line as the Pacers struggled to get control, the game ended, 55-49.
Leading the Pacers in scoring was Chancey May with 16, B.J. Shelton had 11 and Travis Webster added seven. Ben Hickman scored five points and Zach Getz added four and Mat Deaton chipped in two.