A dry spell came at the worst of times for Caldwell County.
Up 46-42 with less than 5 minutes to play Thursday night against Mayfield, the Tigers endured a 4:36 scoreless drought.
That opened the door for a 13-0 run by the visiting Cardinals, who rallied late to grab a 57-50 victory at the CAB gym in Princeton.
The Tigers fell despite big numbers from big man Jaydarius Wilson.
The junior finished the night with 32 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots.
Wilson had all 21 points scored by the Tigers in the second half.
Caldwell had taken a 29-24 lead to the break and actually led for much of the contest.
The teams traded the lead seven times in the third quarter before a 3-pointer just ahead of the horn by Braydon Pate sent Mayfield to the final frame with a 42-41 edge.
But the Tigers countered with the first five points of the fourth quarter. Two free throws by Wilson put Caldwell up 46-42 with 4:59 to remaining.
Pate had another 3 to start Mayfield’s big fourth-quarter run as the Cardinals led by as much as nine late in the contest.
Caldwell had lost at Mayfield on Saturday 66-56, but Wilson sat out that game with an injury.
Pate and Braden Morris each had 15 points for the Cardinals. Owen Webb had 11.
Mayfield (15-8) has taken four of the last five meetings. The Cardinals also lead the all-time series 15-3.
Caldwell (15-10) still needs one more win to assure itself of a winning season. The Tigers have two chances the next two days, with a trip to Webster County on Friday night before a home game against Graves County Saturday afternoon.
Mayfield 11 13 18 15 — 57
Caldwell County 14 15 12 9 — 50
Mayfield (15-8)—Pate 15, Morris 15, Webb 11, Byrd 5, Kirby 4, Morton 4, Gibson 3.
Caldwell County (15-10)—J. Wilson 32, Ca. Whittington 8, Co. Whittington 5, Thompson 3, Parker 2.
