The River Bluff boys’ basketball team is back in the Tipoff at the Dam final. 

The Gators defeated South Pointe 53-50 on Tuesday in The Swamp.

Ranked 9th in the SC Basketball Coaches Association, the Gators overcame early foul trouble from senior standout Myles Jenkins and a late flurry by the Stallions to advance to Wednesday’s final against Cross Creek.

Jenkins scored 14 of his game-high 20 points in the 2nd half. He sat out the entire 2nd quarter after 2 consecutive charges called against him.

Despite Jenkins’ absence, the Gators managed to take a 27-20 halftime lead. Landon Stills scored 10 points and was 6-7 from the free throw line as River Bluff ended the 1st half with a 7-0 run.

With Jenkins back in the lineup, River Bluff built its biggest lead at 32-22 in the 3rd quarter. South Pointe rallied back behind Quan Peterson who finished with 13 points and JJ Hicklin and C. Finch who added 10 points each.

Down 51-44 in the 4th quarter, Peterson and Finch connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to get within a point. Stills was fouled with less than 30 seconds, but missed the front end of the 1-and-1.

South Pointe got the rebound and dribbled upcourt to set up for the game-winning shot. The last attempt was missed and rebounded by Evan Haig with 2.6 seconds left.

Haig made both free throws and the Stallions’ last attempt to tie the game hit off the backboard as time expired. 

TIPOFF AT THE DAM

(Wednesday’s Schedule)

AT CHAPIN HIGH SCHOOL 

Lakewood at Chapin 3 pm

AT RIVER BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL

South Pointe vs. Aiken 3 pm

Cross Creek (Ga.) vs. River Bluff 5 pm