Clutch shooting key in Tigers’ win

Free throw shooting proved to be the difference in the Thibodaux Tigers 57-52 victory over the South Lafourche Tarpons Friday night in Thibodaux.

While the Tigers (9-14, 3-3) hit nine of their last 10 free throws to seal the game, the Tarpons missed 13 free throws, including three straight after being fouled on a three point attempt.

“It was a situation where they were fouling us and we had to make them when we needed to,” Thibodaux Head Coach Tony Clark said. “We needed to make free throws to win.”

South Lafourche Coach Brian Callais felt his team loss because of the missed shots.

“It killed us,” Callais said. “We make those shots and we give ourselves a chance to win. We struggled from the line and that hurt us.”

Trailing 37-29 entering the fourth quarter the Tarpons (10-14, 1-5) used a 5-0 run and a 6-0 run to eventually pull within two, 48-46.

Brandon Thompson then hit two free throws to increase the Tigers lead 50-46. The Tarpons responded on a bucket by Lane Fillinich to once again cut the Tigers lead to 50-48.

Following two more free throws by the Tigers, the Tarpons were able to close the gap to 52-51 with under two minutes remaining after Wesley Rhodes hit a shot and free throw.

Lorenzo Robinson hit two more free throws to increase the lead 54-51. The Tarpons did not get any closer, and three more free throws sealed the win for the Tigers.

“That is something we have been working on a lot,” Clark said. “We struggled earlier in the year to make free throws so hopefully we can continue on.”

The Tigers opened the game on an 8-0 before the Tarpons scored with just over four minutes remaining.

The Tarpons finished the quarter on a 7-2 run and trailed 10-9 after the first quarter.

The lead changed hands early in the second as the Tarpons went ahead 11-10 following a bucket by Glen Hughes but the Tigers regained the lead (12-11) on their next possession after two free throws by Carmicheal Pharagood. The Tigers then outscored the Tarpons 11-8 the rest of the way to take a 23-19 lead at halftime.

After leading by as many as 13 in the third (32-19), the Tarpons used a 10-0 run to close the gap to 32-29.

The Tarpons would not get any closer than three points as the Tigers took the eight point lead going into the final quarter.

Even though the Tarpons loss, Callais said he could not be more pleased with the way his team battled back.

“I’m proud of my guys,” Callais said. “We were down on the road and they clawed back and fought hard.”

Robinson led the Tigers in scoring with 16, while Cyle Fonseca finished with 14 to lead all Tarpons.