By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

They made things interesting.

After falling behind by 12 points after the first quarter, the Troup Tigers dug in and brought the fight to the Sandy Creek Patriots.

Troup got as close as six points early in the fourth quarter, but Sandy Creek pulled away late for a 76-55 win on Saturday.

Troup (9-5 overall) fell to 1-1 in Region 5-AAAA after opening its region schedule with a road win over Chapel Hill on Friday.

“We came out in the second half and the kids started fighting,” Troup head coach Blake Craft said. “We realized this is what they are, and let’s fight. We cut it to six late in the game, and their players took over.

“They’re a good team, and you have to tip your hat to them. But our kids kept fighting.”

JaQuavo McFarland made three 3-pointers and led Troup with 15 points.

Kobe Hudson added 12 points, with eight of those points coming in the third quarter.

Joko Willis provided a spark off the bench with eight points.

Sandy Creek was ahead 21-9 after the opening quarter, and it led 36-24 at the half.

With Hudson leading the way, Troup made a charge in the third quarter.

When Hudson hit a 3-pointer with 1:39 left in the third quarter, Sandy Creek’s lead was down to 49-41.

By the end of the quarter, Sandy Creek was ahead 52-43.

McFarland knocked down a 3-pointer moments into the fourth quarter, and Troup was within six.

After Sandy Creek went up by 11, McFarland made a 3-pointer with 4:08 remaining to get Troup within eight.

The Patriots finished the game on an 18-4 run to win going away.

Troup will travel cross-town to face the rival LaGrange Grangers on Friday.