Sandwiched between the Columbia and Mortimer Jordan wins, the Tigers – playing their fourth game in five days – suffered a 66-55 loss to 7A Huntsville.

The Panthers opened the game with a 6-2 run. Hartselle answered with an 8-4 run to tie the game at 10-10.

Huntsville responded back with a three-pointer before the end of the first to take a 13-10 lead into the second.

Huntsville hit two three-pointers early in the second quarter to extend that lead to 19-14. After a Ward three cut the lead to 19-17, the Panthers answered with a 6-2 burst to push the lead to 25-19.

Dunn and Kiah Key scored back-to-back buckets to cut the lead to 25-23, but a Huntsville basket before the buzzer gave the Panthers a 27-23 halftime lead.

Huntsville hit four three-pointers in the third quarter to help build a 49-34 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Kiah and Kohl Key, along with Ward, hit threes to keep the Tigers close.

Hartselle used a 13-5 run to start the fourth and cut the lead to 54-47, but the Panthers answered with a 9-0 run to extend their lead to 63-47.

The Tigers, despite the deficit, kept battling and closed the game on a 9-3 run to make the final score 66-55.

Kiah Key scored a career-high 21 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead the Tigers (5-7). Dunn added 10 points and three assists. Ward had eight points, while Kohl Key finished with seven.