Jeffery Mack, who had 11 points for Southside, nailed a three-point shot at the buzzer to make the score 38-32 at the end of the third, but the Panthers would not come much closer down the stretch.

Southside kept charging and Dallas County kept pushing forward behind a strong closing quarter by Jibrail Hayes, who led the team with 13 points.

In the end, the Hornets hit the shots they needed and kept Southside away from the basket long enough to run out the clock and protect the lead.

Panthers head coach, Cedric Brown, like Moore, stressed the importance of the next step for his team.

“It was a great run at the area,” he said.

“We are right there knocking at the door, but there was no answer. Right now, it’s a one game season from here.”