Tidioute Charter jumped out to a big early lead over visting Cranberry Wednesday, then had to survive a second half comeback to end the regular season with a 46-40 win.

The Bulldogs (13-7) had a 14-4 lead after the first quarter and a 30-14 lead at the half, but the Berries (2-16) took advantage of Jared Veasey’s absence-he had to have a cut bandaged-and some sloppy defensive play to cut the deficit to 34-27 entering the fourth quarter.

“We didn’t play good defense in the fourth quarter,” TCCS coach Terry Cotterman said. “There was too much reaching and we put them on the line.”

Cranberry made TCCS pay for those trips, going 9-12 from the line. Conversely, the Bulldogs were just 6-15 from the free throw line.

“That didn’t help much,” Cotterman said. “But these kids don’t get rattled. They had a couple of turnovers in the third quarter too, but they kept working hard. They’ve been that way all year.”

Despite missing much of the third quarter, Veasey led the Bulldogs with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Ryan Williams had 11 points and three steals, Patrick Shields added nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks and Mason DeLoe had six points and 10 rebounds.

TCCS is trying to pick up another game to fill the space between now and the District 10 1A playoffs, set to begin Feb. 26.

“This was a good way to end the regular season,” Cotterman said. “But we’re working to pick up an extra game. The more we play, the better we are.”

– – –

Cranberry (40)

B. Forrest 0-4-4, Stahlman 6-3-18, Fitch 1-0-3, Keefer 1-0-2, P. Forrest 4-3-13, Team 12-12-40

TCCS (46)

Sheilds 3-1-9, Veasey 5-2-12, Williams 4-0-11, Klos 1-0-2, DeLoe 1-3-6, Sabella 2-0-6, Team 16-6-46

By quarters

Cranberry 4 10 13 13 – 40

TCCS 14 16 4 12 – 46

3-point FGs: Cranberry(4)-P. Forrest 2, Stahlman, Fitch. TCCS (6)-Williams 3, Sabella 2, DeLoe