FAIRHOPE, Ala. – The Fairhope Pirates held off a series of late runs to close an exciting fourth quarter with a 52-48 home win over 6A Area 3 rival Robertsdale Tuesday night.

Fairhope was led offensively by Nate Andrews' 13 points while Jerome Jackson and Tripp Drummond added 12 each, Rushing Watson nine and Hayden Harrelson seven.

Calvin Dade scored 16 points to lead all and the Golden Bears while Kent Langham added 12 and Allen Ware 10 for RHS.

Both teams stay on the Area 3 trail Friday night as the Pirates (14-8, 2-2 6A Area 3) visit Foley at 7:30 p.m. and the Bears (13-9, 3-2) play host to Daphne tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Fairhope held a 15-12 lead at the half while both teams traded one and two-point leads deep into the third. But a last-second shot by Langham gave the Bears a 27-24 lead going into the final period.

Watson opened the fourth with a 3-pointer to tie for FHS and a steal and a layup later by Andrews put the Pirates up by five.

In the final minute RHS came back to within a point 47-46 and within two 50-48 with six seconds showing. But the Pirates hit their free throws the rest of the way for the win.

RHS coach Marshall Davis, Jr. said he made mistakes that cost his team.

“It was all on me and I'm going to take the whole blame for it,” he said. “All we can do now is be cheer leaders and hope we beat Daphne on Friday night and hope Fairhope beats Daphne on Feb. 1. Once you lose an area game you then have to hope you get help from others. Right now we're hoping for a three-way tie.”

Fairhope coach Andy Ryan was happy to get the second area win.

“Huge win for us. We had to have it to work our way back into the area race,” he said. “Super proud of my kids to scratch back.

“But you have got to give Robertsdale credit. They came back and made it a nail-biter at the end. Robertsdale's size causes problems for us, but I'm proud of how we played them more physical this time and played better on defense. All 10 kids found a way to contribute. We were able to make our free throws. Hayden, our senior stepped up big and made those at the end and put it out of reach.”

Overall Fairhope went 17-for-25 at the free throw line making 14 in the fourth quarter. RHS was 8-of-16 for the game and 4-for-8 in the final frame.