By Bobby Allen

SDN Sports Editor

The Snyder Tigers were this close to their first district win Friday.

After trailing the entire ball game, Sweetwater surged with four minutes left in the game, as the Tigers let a golden opportunity slip away in a 45-40 heartbreaking loss.

Snyder (8-18, 0-5) played a crisp game throughout, but disaster struck midway through the fourth quarter on consecutive plays that changed the momentum of the game.

After Sweetwater pulled to within two at the start of the fourth quarter. Lico Castillo pulled down an offensive rebound and was fouled on the put back, converting both free-throw attempts to give Snyder the lead, 36-32.

On the next possession, Tucker Early was hit with his fourth foul that sent Sweetwatert to the line.

After Sweetwater collected the rebound on the missed second shot, Early was whistled for another foul, this time on Kendall Carrillo, who converted the three-point play to tie the game and send Early to the bench.

The Mustangs (13-8, 3-2)then seized control of the game, as the Tigers were hurt by tough shot selection and misses on open looks at the end of the period.

“We worked hard all night,” head coach Bud Birks said. “It wears you out -- to play so hard and not execute is frustrating.”

The teams played to a 10-10 stalemate in the first quarter, and the Tigers took a one-point lead into halftime, extending it to four by the end of the third period.

Sweetwater post Giles Montgomery pushed his way through the lane for 16 points, while Castillo paced the Tigers with 14, including three from long range.

Lee Scott put in 10 for the Tigers, who went 9 for 14 from the free-throw line.

Austin Hatfield and Isaac Ramon had eight each for the Tigers, who travel to Seminole Tuesday to take on the Indians.

Seminole topped Lamesa, 53-42, and Merkel beat Denver City, 46-35.