A last-second shot in the paint sent Tallulah Falls (2-1) past Towns County on Saturday at TFS, 55-53. Todor Stanimirovic got the dish inside to bank it off the glass with just a couple of seconds to go, clinching the win.

Towns County (0-2) got a big game from Tucker Engert, who had nine points in the first half and eight in the second. A Jonas Rouse 3-pointer with 10 seconds to go tied the game at 53 before TFS won on the buzzer-beater.

Early on, the teams traded blows in the opening quarter. Engert had a 3-point play, while Tallulah leaned on Neyo Bain (7 points in first quarter). TFS led 18-15 after one. In the second, Kayra Aksu had three baskets as part of a breakaway run for Tallulah Falls, who took a 10-point lead. Engert hit a trifecta to end the Towns County drought and pull within 31-24 heading into the break.

Towns County clamped down in the third, holding TFS to no points until under the 4-minute mark. Rouse had a triple to tie the game at 31 apiece. Brian Neely got Tallulah back in front with a layin, and the home Indians had a 37-36 lead going into the final frame.

Noah Massong lifted Tallulah Falls with a 3-pointer, but Engert’s go-ahead triple of his own at the 5:06 mark made it 41-40. Alberto Battino and Aksu both then had 3-point plays before Rouse’s electric deep shot. Tallulah Falls ran an inbounds play and got the look to Stanimirovic to win the game. He led the Indians with 11 points, while Aksu (10), Hayden Bootle (9), Bain and Neely (7 each), Battino (5), and Massong and Jovan Pavlicic (3 each) chipped in accordingly.

Towns County was paced by Engert’s 17 points and Dustin Barrett’s 11. Mason Pierson had 10, Rouse 9, Cruz Kitchens 4, and Connor Williams 2.