Dawson County traveled to East Hall Dec. 8 for its first Region 7-AAA game of the season.

The Tigers fought to the final buzzer before falling to the Vikings, 74-57.

The score wasn't indicative of the game.

Coach Thad Burgess' team was down 45-39 going into the fourth quarter.

East Hall led by 7 points, 55-48, with 5:14 remaining in the game.

But the Vikings (4-2; 1-1) began to build their lead mainly from the free throw line. East Hall converted 29 of 39 from the charity stripe to get the win.

Cullen Reed led the Tigers in scoring with 17 points. Reed scored in each quarter, but his biggest scoring output occurred in the final eight minutes when he placed 7 points on the board.

Three other Tigers (3-3; 0-1) scored in double digits: Jeremiah Crumley added 14 points, followed by teammates Noah Davis with 12 points and Gabe Bryant with 10 points.

Crumley connected on 3 three-pointers on the evening.

Dawson County had 4 three-pointers for the game.

Also putting up points for the Tigers were Kolton Brumbelow and Coey Watson with 2 points each.

East Hall was led in scoring by Tylor Brown with 29 points.

Brown was 13 for 14 from the free throw line.

Jacquen Hopkins and Triston Cooper had 13 and 14 points respectively for the Vikings.

Burgess and his team have a busy week ahead.

The team will travel to Columbus to play in the Pacelli High School Christmas Tournament Friday and Saturday. On Monday they will have a rematch at Pickens County.

Friday the team will face Mt. de Sales Academy (5-3) in a 5 p.m. tipoff.

Saturday the team will play Columbus High School (5-2) at 11 a.m.

Monday's game with Pickens (2-5) will begin at 6 p.m.