But late in the third quarter, a three-point play by Ryan Schmidt had SAHS on top, 30-29.

The Warriors scored the final four points of the period to take a three-point lead into the final eight minutes, and after a three-point play by Josiah Hortin, they were up 43-36 with 2:31 remaining.

Collin Westendorf then scored six straight points for the Bulldogs, helping them get within 43-40 at the 1:34 mark. A little over a minute later, the margin was sliced to just one after baskets by Max Koenig and Brock Fearday.

Hortin hit a pair of free throws with 22 seconds left to make it a three-point cushion again and Westendorf added a foul shot to make it 47-45 with 10 ticks still showing.

Jordan Quinn was fouled a second later, but hit just one of his two free throws, giving St. Anthony one final chance. Westendorf managed to get off a three-point shot just ahead of the buzzer, but it missed, allowing the favored Warriors to “survive and advance” – which is the ultimate goal in the postseason.

“This team has been resilient all year long,” St. Anthony coach Cody Rincker said. “They have a lot of character and perseverance and have been willing to do whatever was asked of them. That’s what I love about this team. I’m very proud of this group.”

The game was close throughout.

Tuscola jumped out to a 5-0 lead, but Westendorf scored four points, while Griffin Sehy, Michael Martelli, Jonathon Willenborg and Fearday all hit jumpers to give the Bulldogs a 12-9 lead after the opening eight minutes.

Neither team shot well or played very well overall in the second period, combining to turn the ball over nine times.

A bucket by Koenig, a free throw by Westendorf, followed by a shot from long range by Westendorf gave the Bulldogs their biggest lead of the contest, 18-13. But a three-pointer by Hortin and two free throws by Quinn got the Warriors back to within 20-18 at intermission.

“It wasn’t a great offensive night for either team,” Rincker noted. “Both teams struggled. But credit Tuscola. They made a few more shots. It was a hard-fought game and a well-deserved victory.”

The Warriors took the lead for good in the third quarter. A three-pointer by Kam Sweetnam, followed by a three-point play by Chris Boyd, gave Tuscola a 26-24 edge. A shot from behind the arc by Westendorf and the three-point play by Schmidt gave the Bulldogs their final lead at 30-29.

The Warriors, who improved to 28-6, had three players in double figures. Sweetnam led the way with 15 points, while Quinn scored 14 and Hortin added 12. They shot 36 percent overall, making 16-of-44 attempts. They were 4-for-15 from three-point range and 12-for-16 at the foul line.

Westendorf was St. Anthony’s only double-figure scorer, finishing with a game-high 22 points. Fearday chipped in eight. The Bulldogs were 18-for-48 from the floor, a 38 percent clip. They were 2-for-9 from behind the arc and 7-for-11 at the line. They held a 36-26 rebounding edge.

St. Anthony ended its season with a 22-13 record.

“I felt like we competed night-in and night-out,” Rincker said. “I told the boys I’ve never had a team that played this tough of a schedule. But I think it helped prepare us for the postseason.

“We’ve got a lot of potential in this program, but that’s all it is right now. Potential,” Rincker added. “They need to get in the weight room and get their shots in during the summer. There are things they can work on that will improve their game next year.”

Rincker said goodbye to three seniors – Jonathan Willenborg, Michael Martelli and Griffin Sehy.

The sectional championship will be a rematch between Tuscola and Altamont. The two teams met in Altamont on February 11 with the Warriors posting a convincing 64-38 win.