MCCOMB – The McComb Tigers remained undefeated Wednesday, running their record to 21-0 overall and 7-0 in Region 6-4A play. But the Tigers had to earn it.

After hardly being challenged in their first six region games, the Tigers clawed out a 61-60 win over the stubborn Lawrence County Cougars. McComb’s Antonio Cowart hit four straight free throws in the closing seconds to secure the win.

Cowart led Hilton Harrell’s Tigers with 20 points, 11 of them coming in the decisive fourth quarter. With 14 seconds left, he made two free throws to give the Tigers a 59-54 lead. When Lawrence County’s A.J. McLaurin quickly nailed a 3-pointer to cut the McComb lead to 59-57, Cowart was forced to make two more free throws to secure the victory. The final free throws proved necessary, as the Cougars’ Gabriel Lewis sank another 3-pointer at the buzzer.

McComb landed four players in double figures. Along with Cowart, Zarkechious Martin had 12 points, and Quadarius Green and Kadarrion Mason added 10 points each. Cowart and Mason combined for 19 of McComb’s 21 fourth-quarter points.

McComb led by as many as 11 points in the first half, but saw Lawrence County battle back to take a seven-point lead in the third quarter. It was tight after that. With 1:06 left, a Mason putback broke the final tie of the night, giving the Tigers a 56-54 lead.

Keyshawn Feazell had a big night for Lawrence County, with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Lewis added 12 points, and Phillip Moore had 10. McLaurin finished with nine points, and Vernell Garner added eight.

By improving to 7-0 in region play, the McComb boys are in firm control of the Region 6-4A race. Even in falling to 5-2 in the region, Pat Bridges’ Cougars still hold a good grip on the all-important second place spot. The Cougars fell to 16-8 overall.

The girls’ game wasn’t quite as dramatic. Charlton Grey’s Lady Tigers outscored Lawrence County 43-9 in the second half to roll to a 64-22 victory. The game was competitive in the first half, with McComb holding a 21-13 lead at the intermission.

Chardonnay Williams led the Lady Tigers with 18 points, and Mylisha Hammond added 13. The McComb girls improved to 15-7 overall, and 6-1 in region play. The Lady Tigers entered the week in a three-way region deadlock with South Pike and Florence.

Vicki Rutland’s Lady Cougars fell to 12-12 with the loss, and 1-6 in the region. Camryn Davis led LCHS with five points.