BLUFFTON, S.C. -- Even though he looked emotionally drained Thursday night, South Effingham coach James Finlen was overflowing with pride inside.

Finlen's outmanned Mustangs rallied from 15 points down to force overtime against Bluffton before falling 66-58. 

"We were down two starters (because of injuries), but we had guys step up," Finlen said. "I am so proud of the way they fought back. The kind of heart they showed is really something we've been looking for. I can work with that.

"They did not lie down. They stayed focused and played together."

Darius Scott led the charge for South Effingham, which used only six players. He tallied 15 of his game-33 points in the fourth quarter.

"He hit another gear," Finlen said. "He didn't want the team to lose."

Scott tallied eight points during a 10-0 South Effingham run in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter to send the game to overtime.

"He did everything he could, and so did everybody else," Finlen said.

Finlen hoped injured starters Makenly Newbill and Matthew Brown will be back in the lineup when the Mustangs face Bluffton again at home on Tuesday.

See the Dec. 13 edition of the Effingham Herald for more details.