The Quitman Varsity Bulldogs came short Friday night, suffering a 39-37 loss to the Eustace Bulldogs in the final minutes.

The game opened with excitement, as Quitman showed early confidence from the outside. Jonathan Hayes knocked down a 3-pointer to get the Bulldogs on the board, which was followed quickly by another long-range shot from Logan Davis.

Eustace answered with a basket before Hayes sunk another 3-pointer. With less than four minutes in the first quarter, Quitman was up 9-2. However, after several unanswered Eustace baskets, the quarter ended with a tied score at 9-9.

Scoring was harder to come by for Quitman in the second quarter, as the Bulldogs were limited to the free-throw line. Davis added one point at the stripe, while Klayton Meadows also converted a free throw. Hayes scored two points from the line, and Lucas Sandifer added two free throws. Despite the effort, Quitman trailed 21-15 at halftime.

Eustace struck first to open the third quarter, but Quitman responded with one of its strongest stretches of the night. The Bulldogs scored 11 points in the period, including four from Davis, two from Sandifer, two from Meadows, and another 3-pointer from Hayes. Sandifer finished a smooth layup, while Davis converted a tough layup and followed it with two free throws after drawing a foul. By the end of the third quarter, Quitman battled back to within two points, trailing just 28-26.

The fourth quarter featured back-and-forth basketball, with both teams answering each other’s shots. With three and a half minutes remaining, Eustace held a slim 36-34 lead.

The Bulldogs continued to fight, matching baskets and keeping the game within reach. After Eustace scored again, Quitman answered. Meadows was fouled and managed to sink one of two free throws to pull Quitman within one point at 38-37.

Eustace drove the length of the court and drew a foul, converting one free throw to extend the lead to 39-37. Quitman had one final opportunity, but was unable to score before the final buzzer ended the game. Eustace won 39-37.

Hayes led the Bulldogs with 12 points, while Davis added eight. Sandifer and Meadows each finished with seven points. Junior varsity call-ups Ty Harkness and Riley Mason also made an impact, with Harkness sinking a 3-pointer and Mason providing strong physical defense.