The Southern Crescent Tech Tigers basketball team was leading visiting Waycross College with 12 minutes remaining in the game, but couldn’t close it out and lost 99-83 last Saturday night at Taylor Street gym to fall to 0-9 on the season.

In another matchup of NJCAA Division I SCTC versus a Division III school, the Tigers proved they could hang with the “big boys” but they have to learn to finish the contests.

“We played well enough to win, but a few mistakes and missed free throws led to our loss,” said Tigers head coach Calvin Sinkfield. “I actually had fun coaching this game, despite the loss. We really executed well.”

Waycross, which swept the season series with SCTC, was only up 52-45 at the half and once the smaller Tigers started driving to the basket in the second half, the momentum swung in their favor.

“I don’t think anyone can hang with us if we drive the lane,” Sinkfield said. “Our quickness is too much for other teams to handle.”

Unfortunately for the Tigers, their lack of size makes a big difference against bigger and stronger opponents and that was the case again on Saturday as Waycross just used their inside presence to claim the victory.

“Now that we’re playing these games a lot closer than earlier this year, I believe we will be good to go once conference play begins,” Sinkfield said.

Ignacio Hood led SCTC with 26 points, followed by former Spalding High guard Rodney Gilbert with 19 and Darius Miller chipped in 10. Joe Tarver added 8 points off the bench.

The SCTC men will get back in action on Friday at 7 p.m. at Taylor Street gym against Ga. Gwinnett College.