The Tigers’ Kalvin Iohp drives around Nyssa’s Demetrius Fuentes Jan. 30, 2024, on the way to the basket during the Tigers' 64-60 loss to the Bulldogs.

NYSSA — La Grande head coach Shawn Brooks has seen it all too often this season. The Tigers build a lead in a game only to see late play allow the opposition to rally and ultimately take a win. Brooks saw the same scenario play out in Nyssa on Tuesday, Jan. 30, as the 3A Bulldogs downed the Tigers 64-60.

La Grande seemingly could not miss a shot early and took a quick 15-4 lead before the Bulldogs called a timeout at the 3 minute, 9 second mark.

Retaking the court, the Bulldogs started to find the mark and as the first quarter came to a close, Nyssa took a 20-19 lead.

The tide again turned in the second quarter as the Bulldogs cooled off, while the Tigers again started to place points on the board. Adding 15 points to the team’s total, La Grande entered the locker room at the half holding a 34-28 margin.

La Grande started the final eight minutes of the game up by two points at 48-46. Less than three minutes into the final quarter, the two teams stood tied at 53-all with Nyssa taking the lead for good at the 2:48 mark on a long perimeter basket, 58-57. With the Tigers unable to hit free throws in the final minutes and the Bulldogs connecting from the free-throw line, Nyssa’s Tony Gomeza went 2-for-2 from the free throw line with 1.8 seconds left in the game to hand the Bulldogs the win.

La Grande shot 31% from the free-throw line.

Landon Hood led the Tigers in the game with 15 points. Blake Hildebrandt followed with 14 points and Darek Mcllmoil finished with 12 points.

La Grande (4-16 overall, 0-4 4A Greater Oregon League) returns to league action on Feb. 2 at Pendleton (8-11 overall, 3-0 4A Greater Oregon League). The Bucs downed the Tigers, 59-54, in the first meeting on Jan. 16.