Breaux Bridge needed five unanswered points in the last 1:30 of its district road opener to squeak past Beau Chene 45-44 on Wednesday night.
The Gators (16-12) fell to the Tigers (13-7) despite holding Breaux Bridge to their fourth-lowest point total this season.
Beau Chene led by four late in the game and had chances to increase its lead but missed the front end of two one-and-ones.
Kialen Phillips, who led all scorers with 20 points, drove into the lane with seven seconds remaining and was fouled on his layup attempt with Breaux Bridge down 44-43. He made both of his free throws.
On the ensuing Beau Chene possession, the Gators were able to get to the basket, but Phillips blocked the shot to ensure victory for the Tigers.
“Kialen Phillips is our senior," Breaux Bridge coach Kevin Wiltz said. "He’s the top player on the team. He loves to score, block shots and rebound. He does a lot for us, and I loved how he led at the end and fought towards the end."
Breaux Bridge held Beau Chene to just four points in the second quarter after trailing 15-10 after the first quarter. The Tigers led by two points at halftime.
“We did a good job of focusing on controlling (CJ) Charlot and minimizing the number of shots he had," Wiltz said. "We also wanted to slow down No. 4, because he was their leading scorer in the first quarter."
Shyka Sharp led the Gators with 14 points, but he was held to just two points in the second quarter.
“You know Breaux Bridge is a tough team that always comes eager to play," Beau Chene coach Christopher Charlot said. "We were eager to play, and it was back and forth, something we consider a heavyweight fight."
Charlot praised his team's defense but said the Gators would have to move on quickly to bounce back against Opelousas next week.
“We’re off Friday. We have a bye then we play Opelousas on Tuesday, which is a big district rivalry and always a good game and a sight to see for lack of a better word, but we’re excited," Charlot said. "We knew that with Breaux Bridge, Opelousas and us, that’s gonna be six games where anything can happen."