A cold shooting first half found the Quitman Bulldogs down 24-12 to Pittsburg before they would bounce back and take the contest into two overtimes before finally falling 47-45.

“We just could not hit a shot in the first half. They were big and athletic and got a lot of points off second chance shots,” Coach Jim Reid said. “I was really proud of the way our kids fought hard and came back in the second half.”

The game was tied at the end of regulation at 39-39 as Quitman’s Jake Farmer knotted the game on a three-point shot. In the first overtime the Bulldogs were down 45-43 when they forced a turnover. Garrett Taylor hit a shot to tie the game at 45-45 as time ran out.

In the second overtime, Taylor fouled out with three minutes to go and the Bulldogs were unable to score. Pittsburg could manage only two points in the second overtime but walked off the floor glad to get out of Quitman with the win.

District play was set to begin Monday at press time as Quitman hosted Edgewood.

Reid said the district race should be interesting. “Edgewood is going to be good again. They have three tall kids in the 6’4” range and they have three really good shooters. Kemp is playing really well and has a lot of talent. Mineola is coming off football and they are an unknown right now. We just know they are talented,” Reid said. “Alba-Golden is solid again this season as is Scurry-Rosser. Eustace has been playing some good basketball and Grand Saline is much improved.”

The Bulldogs will finish the holiday season with the Quitman Classic with games being played at Delbert Ballard Memorial Gym and also at the high school gym. The Quitman Classic will begin Dec. 28 and run through Dec. 30.