ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — The Baldwin County High School Tigers had a chance to clinch the Class 6A Area 3 championship Tuesday night with a win over the Robertsdale Golden Bears. The Tigers did just that in a 60-57 win over the Bears.

With the win the Tigers moved past Daphne High School in the Area 3 standings and secured the championship. It did not, however, come without key mistakes that could have cost them Tuesday night or later down the road in the post season.

“I thought we made some mental mistakes. That is something we are going to have to correct down the stretch. I thought the mental mistakes were selfish on my guys’ part and I am very upset about that,” Tigers head coach Lorenzo Hunter said.

After leading by 13 points heading into the fourth quarter the Tigers gave up the big lead and nearly went to overtime after a three point heave at the buzzer from Robertsdale barely missed.

“I hate to be upset after a win but things like that come back to hurt you in the playoffs,” Hunter said. “Robertsdale did a great job playing at home. Their crowd was in the game and they fought to get back in the game when we were up 16 points and take my hat off to the Robertsdale kids for how they kept fighting.”

The importance of getting the win on the road against a quality opponent to secure the championship was not lost on Coach Hunter and the rest of the Tiger team.

“We are regular season are champions because of it and we have the right to host the tournament at our place,” Hunter said. “My point is down the road if you don’t fix some of this stuff it can come back to bite you.”

The Tigers did put up 60 points on the road in hostile environment and got some big performances from some key players.

They had two players score in double figures including senior guard Andre Cox who finished with 19 points. Cox entered the game Tuesday averaging about 11 points per game. Senior guard Justin Mayes finished with 13.

The Bears also had two players score in double figures. Junior Rashad Hobby finished with a team-high 12 points. Senior Alphonso Stewart finished with 11.

With the Tigers leading by 13 points the Bears were able to go on a 9-0 throughout the early stages of the quarter to get them back in the game.

Thanks in large part to turnovers the Bears were able to cut their deficit to as low as three points in the final minute of the contest after a double technical foul was called giving each team a foul shot and gave Robertsdale the ball.

The Bears were able to score three points on the possession.

On the Tigers’ next possession the Bears intentionally fouled the Tigers and sent them to the foul line, where they extended their lead to three points.

With just seconds remaining in regulation the Bears had one final shot to send the game into overtime. Laprinston Agee got the ball and heaved a desperation shot just inside half court that just missed giving the Tigers the win.

The Tigers visit rival Escambia County on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.. Robertsdale stays home and will play Fairhope on Friday night at 7:30.