Tabias Mitchell scores a lay-up against the Cullman Bearcats on Tuesday night. | Richard Hollingsworth: http://nikonrick.smugmug.com/

Cullman outscored Hartselle 23-11 in the third quarter to take control of the game and win 63-57 Tuesday night at the Pettey Center.

The Tigers (3-11, 1-4) appeared to be in control in the first quarter as Preston Adams scored 10 points, including a trio of 3-pointers. Hartselle led 18-11 at the end of the first frame.

The Tigers extended the lead to as many as 11 points at 29-18 before Cullman closed the quarter on a 8-3 run. The Tigers still led 31-26 at halftime.

The Bearcats collected the first nine rebounds of the third stanza during an 11-2 run, to take a 37-33 lead about three minutes into the second half.

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After the teams traded baskets the rest of the way, Lawson Schaffer hit a 3-pointer at the third quarter buzzer to give Cullman a 49-42 lead.

The Bearcats extended the lead to nine points midway through the final quarter, but Hartselle rallied back and cut the lead to 59-57 with under a minute to play on Tabias Mitchell’s putback.

But that’s as close as it got as Cullman added four more free throws to ice the game.

Adams finished with 21 points and three rebounds followed by Timbo Slaton with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Thomas Fleischman finished with eight points, seven rebounds and four asssists.

Mitchell had six points, four rebounds and two blocks while Colston Thompson added six points and three assists. Jamal Jackson added a trey while Deacon Aldridge finished with a two and Jaylen Jackson had a free throw, three assists and three steals.

Schaffer led the Bearcats with 18 points, five steals and three assists followed by Houston Turner with 16 points and five rebounds. Troy Forrest finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.