After huge wins over crosstown rival Eastside on Tuesday, both the Alcovy boys and girls squads were unable to carry the momentum into Friday night's matchup against Rockdale County.

For the boys, the Tigers (5-9 overall, 3-3 Region 8-AAAA, Sub-region B) stayed neck and neck most of the way before Rockdale pulled off a 53-47 win. Meanwhile, the Lady Tigers succumbed to a late breakdown, losing 43-38.

"For some reason we can't win close ball games," said Alcovy boys coach Eugene Brown.

The Tigers were again led by senior guard Worrel Clahar, who opened the game with all 11 first quarter points. As a result, it gave Alcovy a slight one-point lead heading into the second.

With the second frame underway, the Bulldogs (6-5, 4-3) did what any good team should do: They took the ball out of Clahar's hands, forcing Alcovy to find other ways to score.

But it didn't take long for the Tigers to do so, as junior Brad Williams stepped up, finding the bottom of the net for six of his overall 13 points in the game.

Looking for any kind of edge, the Tigers headed into the locker room with a 21-19 halftime lead.

In a close game that was never separated by more than two possessions, the teams began the second half trying to put some sort of distance between them.

The Tigers scored 17 points in the fourth quarter, eight of which came from Clahar's game-high 21. However, they were only 4-of-9 from the free-throw line and 9-of-19 in the game.

"We missed our free throws and just fell apart," said Brown. "It's the same story again and again."

In the most exciting game of the evening, the Lady Tigers (1-10, 1-6) took to the court with a valiant effort to extend their winning streak to two games.

After being down nine at halftime, Alcovy came out with its best quarter performance of the year.

Forcing Rockdale (4-10, 2-7) into seven turnovers, the Lady Tigers were able to put together a 15-4 third quarter run, putting them ahead by two entering the final quarter.

Keeping the game close was Alcovy sensation Tiffany Moody who was able to basket a team-high 17 points, putting the Tigers in position to win the game.

But with the game knotted at 38 apiece, the Lady Bulldogs were able to force consecutive turnovers, sealing the game, 43-38.

"It was a heartbreaker," said Alcovy's Alex Tucker. "It hurts when you work so hard and lose. Everyone played hard and gave it 100 percent, so we have nothing to look down about."

Tucker had six fourth quarter points for the Lady Tigers in their losing effort.