Down 16 at the half, St. Aloysius made a valiant comeback on Senior Day, but could not complete it against Bogue Chitto Saturday afternoon.

The visiting Bobcats (17-8, 7-3) made two big shots and four free throws in the final two minutes to stave off the hard-charging Flashes, 58-50.

St. Al (5-17, 3-7) will go into the Division 7-1A Tournament, which starts Monday, as the fourth seed and face archrival Cathedral Monday night at 7:30 at the Mississippi School for the Deaf in Jackson. The Flashes have beaten the Green Wave in two of the season’s three meetings and that has coach Richard Hodges optimistic.

“We fought back twice today against the No. 2 team in the division (Bogue Chitto), so I was real pleased with our fight,” Hodges said. “I think I’ve finally got them thinking about being a team. We’re doing some of the right things going into Cathedral.”

St. Al trailed 32-16 at the half after hitting just 4-of-24 shots. The second half would be different.

St. Al opened with a 14-3 run as Sean Johnson hit a pair of 3-pointers to make it 35-30. Shelton Headley and Elliott Bexley made a pair of baskets and a steal and layup by Ford Biedenharn pulled the Flashes to within three at 37-34.

Bogue Chitto went into the fourth quarter up five. Germie Martin, who finished with 25 points, hit his first three shots of the final quarter to extend the lead back to nine at 47-38.

St. Al came back as Bexley hit three straight baskets in the lane to keep his team within five. Bexley made 6-of-7 shots in the game and ended with 14 points.

“He became that third wheel we need to lift some pressure off our two leaders Sean (Johnson) and Ford (Biedenharn),” Hodges said.

Headley made a scoop shot off a rebound to make it 49-46 and Johnson followed with two free throws for a 49-48 game with 2:21 left.

That’s when the Bobcats responded. Michael Harris hit a 3-pointer off an inbounds set play for a four-point lead. Johnson countered with two more free throws with 1:21 left.

“We made some plays under pressure,” Bobcat coach Jeremy Harold said.

Martin answered for Bogue Chitto, hitting an 8-footer from the baseline to keep the lead at four. A critical turnover on St. Al’s next possession finished its chances.

Johnson had 17 points and five rebounds for St. Al. Matt Wooten had nine points and 11 rebounds.

Harris had 11 points for Bogue Chitto.

(G) Bogue Chitto 66,

St. Aloysius 33

Bogue Chitto won its 25th game of the season but it was costly. Senior guard Aneshia Dillon had two front teeth knocked out after a collision with St. Aloysius guard Ashtin Giambrone early in the third quarter.

Dillon was knocked to the ground and her face hit the court. She was taken to River Region hospital.

“One of teeth was torn by the root and the other was kind of dangling,” said Lady Bobcat coach Christi Terrell.

Bogue Chitto (25-1) has the best overall record in the state in Class 1A. They are the top seed in the Division 7-1A Tournament and will await Monday’s winner between St. Al (6-15, 2-8) and Cathedral.

Dillon scored 15 points before getting hurt. All came in the first half.

St. Al was tied at 12 following a basket by Allie Willis, but a 3-pointer by Dillon put Bogue Chitto ahead to stay. Dillon scored 10 points in the second quarter as the Lady Bobcats went up 39-20.

“We have six seniors and we think this is the year we can go to the (Mississippi) Coliseum,” Terrell said.

Senior point guard Josie Porter led Bogue Chitto with 16 points. Tesheon Rogers had 15 points to match Dillon and Teareon Rogers had 10,

St. Al senior Sara Howington made her final home game a good one with 12 points and three steals. Willis had 11 points while Ann Garrison Thomas had five points and eight rebounds.