After seeing a halftime lead evaporate, Blake Roberts hit a long three-point shot at the buzzer to end the third quarter, sending Hiwassee Dam to a narrow 44-43 lead over Swain with one quarter to play.
Swain hit a three pointer at the beginning of the fourth quarter in the game played on November 28 to give the Maroon Devils a one-point lead.
However, Roberts scored off an offensive rebound to put the Eagles up 49-46.
With the game nip and tuck, both defenses played tough. Two Swain free throws tied the game at 49- all with 2:22 left in the game.
Both teams seemed tight when they had the ball and scoring was a challenge.
With 1:33 left in the game, Swain scored to go on top 51-49. Hiwassee Dam turned the ball over and Swain took a four point lead with just under a minute to play.
Tyler Duggan hit a threepoint shot to put the Eagles within one point of the Devils at 52-53 with 31 seconds left.
Daniel Helton stole the ball and dribbled past the basket and tried a shot over his head, which failed to fall through the basket.
Swain hit one of two free throws to make it 54-52. The Eagles turned the ball over with six seconds and immediately fouled the Devils.
Swain made one of two free throws and Kendric McDonald got off a long three-point shot at the buzzer which would have tied the game, but the shot was no good and Swain won the game 55-52.
The Eagles looked good in the first half as Roberts pulled up and sank a nine-foot jumper for the Eagles' first score.
McDonald fought through traffic to score and tie the game at 4-4.
Roberts hit a nine-foot shot to send the Eagles into the lead at 6-4. Jonathon Floyd got a layup on a fast break and then hit one of two free throws.
Foster hit a turnaround jumper to make the score 11-4.
Duggan made a 12-foot jumper to give the Eagles a 13-6 first quarter lead.
The Eagles maintained the seven point margin to lead 30- 23 at the half.
Roberts led the Eagles with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
Pinkerton had 11 rebounds.
"We are going to have to make better decisions," said coach Daniel McNabb. "We have the ability to play with most teams but are going to have to limit unforced mistakes in order to be successful.
Most of these boys are young and will greatly benefit from these close losses. It will allow them to learn from their mistakes and build on them." 5 and Foster 4.
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