It took three overtimes to decide the victor between Morgan City and the Plaquemine boys’ basketball teams on Friday in Morgan City.

The teams were tied at 35-35 after four quarters and they combined for 10 points over the first two overtimes before Plaquemine pulled away in the third OT to take the 50-45 win.

With its 9-1 record coming into the game, Plaquemine was likely seen as a heavy favorite capable of blowing out the Tigers.

“I thought it could’ve turned out that way,” MCHS coach Jeremy Whittington said. “But our guys played solid defense, we played three and half straight minutes of defense (in the second overtime). Not many teams can do that.”

The Tigers led 16-13 at halftime but a 14-4 run in the third quarter by Plaquemine put them ahead 27-20 heading into the fourth quarter.

Scrappy defense and several clutch shots down the stretch brought the Tigers back and a Tyrin Watts three pointer from several feet behind the arc tied with game with 28 seconds left.

MCHS dropped into a 3-2 zone and forced a turnover with six second remaining that gave Watts one last shot at a game-winner in regulation but his half-court effort hit the rim to force overtime.

Plaquemine led 38-37 late in the first overtime before Jaylen Jones hit a three pointer to give MCHS a 40-38 lead with 16 seconds left in the period.

The Tigers nearly held on to win, but Plaquemine managed to snag three rebounds while trying to tie the game and finally got a bucket to fall that sent the game to a second overtime.

Plaquemine won the tip in the second OT and ran the clock down to 15 seconds before Eric Walker managed a steal, but his potential game winner was off target.

In the third OT, Plaquemine went away from the stall tactic and started hitting shots. MCHS struggled at the foul line and Plaquemine took advantage and held on for the 50-45 win.

The Tigers look much improved from earlier in the season and the addition of Jalen Johnson to the lineup has helped the team begin the process of coming together and finding it own identity.

Johnson had 11 points, Watts had 21, and Jones had seven.

Jessie Ward led Plaquemine with 23 points, Davon Godcheaux had seven, and Donte Philson had six.

Morgan City (5-3) will host Thibodaux (2-4) tonight.