J.R. Tidwell/FCT Ben Hubbard (3) of Red Bay sets up an in-bound pass against host Hatton in the final game of Friday night.

Red Bay lost a close game to host Hatton 49-41 in the final game of Friday night at the Hatton Christmas Tournament.

The Hornets had the lead for most of the game, but the Tigers were constantly nipping at their heels trying to take the advantage.

“When it comes crunch time we have to make the play,” Red Bay head coach Greg Cash said.

Hatton had a 12-6 lead at the end of the first. The Hornets turned this into a 27-20 lead at halftime.

Red Bay had trouble making lay-ups — a big part of its game — in the third quarter, allowing Hatton to take 10-point lead into the fourth and final quarter.

The Tigers began to turn the game around in the fourth by creating turnovers on defense, getting rebounds and hitting shots.

Red Bay had narrowed Hatton’s lead to 39-34 midway through the fourth. Austin Malone hit a 3-pointer, and another field goal by the Tigers saw Red Bay get within 1-point of the lead at 40-39 with 2:17 remaining in the game.

Hatton blocked a lay-up by Ben Hubbard, but Malone hit a shot with 1:17 remaining to give Red Bay the lead for the first time in the game.

The Tigers were unable to hit another shot after that, and the Hornets scored 9 straight to take the win.

“When you battle back to get the lead you have to keep playing,” Cash said.

Malone led the Tigers in scoring with 16 points, including four 3’s. Austin Thorn, Michael Ramirez and Brett McDowell had 4 points apiece. Austin Humphres, Matt Montgomery and Hunter Childers each had 3. Hubbard had 2 points, with Cole Rooker and Tra Elliot scoring 1 each.