That’s the name of the game in the postseason, and the Pope County Pirates did just Tuesday night, edging Hardin County 47-46 in quarterfinal action from the Crab Orchard 1A Regional.

The Pirates will face the host Trojans in the semifinals Wednesday.

Pope County built a 33-23 lead at the half, but managed only five points in the third quarter. Hardin County wasn’t exactly burning up the nets in the third either, but Calen Banks’ three in the final minute of the quarter drew the Cougars within seven at 38-31.

Hardin County kept chipping away, cutting it to 44-42 with 50 seconds to play. With Pope County leading 47-44, Hardin County forced a turnover with nine seconds left and had a chance to tie. The Cougars wound up scoring a basket in the lane, but the final seconds ticked off the clock, and the Pirates survived.

Pope County’s Jackson Eddington led all scorers with 25 points. Lanceton Fields led Hardin County with 16.